Explainer: Why and how EVs catch fire
Summary
An electric car caught fire in Bharatpur, killing driver Amar Parajuli and prompting questions in Nepal about EV fire risks. Experts say the cause is still under investigation, and confirmed traction-battery fires in Nepal remain rare so far.
Key Points
- An electric car caught fire on the East-West Highway in Bharatpur, killing 55-year-old driver Amar Parajuli.
- Investigators have not yet determined the cause, and experts caution against drawing conclusions from video footage alone.
- Specialists explain that EV fires can be triggered by crashes, manufacturing defects, charging faults or flooding, with thermal runaway a key battery risk.
- The article says no public case in Nepal has yet been verified as a true traction-battery fire, though the Bharatpur incident could become the first if battery fault is confirmed.
