Bangkok: "Supamas" is investigating an electric vehicle company after a battery charging incident resulted in a fire. She points out the company's claim that overcharging (over 70%) was unreasonable and reveals that 45 complaints have been filed. The Consumer Protection Board is scheduled to summon the company for questioning on May 21st.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, provided details regarding the incident of an electric vehicle catching fire while charging. The fire occurred on May 15th when a user was charging the vehicle at home. In her capacity as the supervisor of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), Ms. Isarabhakdi has tasked Mr. Pradermchai Boonchuaylue, an advisor to the Minister, to attend a CPB meeting on May 21st to follow up on the case. The meeting will include discussions with the vehicle manufacturer, who reportedly claimed that the incident was due to user overcharging.
The CPB is actively working to gather all pertinent information and seeks a detailed timeline from the car manufacturers. The manufacturers have previously replaced batteries for 1,600 vehicles due to battery issues and plan to import an additional 800 batteries in June. The CPB is looking for clarity on the compensation plan for car owners affected by the inability to use their vehicles and an explanation for the battery fires. The agency is questioning the manufacturer's claim that charging beyond 70% is the issue, asserting that the real problem could be charging over 100%. The CPB holds the authority to file lawsuits on behalf of consumers, and 45 complaints have been lodged, some by individuals who did not experience the incident but are concerned about the issue.
Ms. Supamas also noted that while the particular EV model involved has not experienced major problems, some companies have shut down, causing concern among vendors about maintenance and fire-related issues. Other EV companies face minor issues such as unmet specifications, misleading advertisements, or delays in part availability for repairs. She stressed the importance of balancing consumer and business interests to ensure sustainable growth, aligning with the government's clean energy policy. Although unaware of the exact number of problematic EV models, she acknowledged the popularity of the model in question and its significant buyer base.