Three crashes, similar claims: Experts probe EV bus operations

Transport and automotive experts have raised concerns over driver allocation practices training standards and the operational differences between electric and conventional buses following a series of recent BEST bus accidents involving electric vehiclesTheir observations come as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the latest fatal crash in Dadar where preliminary findings suggest the bus may have surged forward after the handbrake was releasedWhile experts cautioned against drawing conclusions before the inquiry is completed several pointed to the challenges of operating different types of buses and the need for specialised trainingWhy EVs behave differentlyOne senior automotive expert explainedlsquoElectric vehicles typically deliver nearinstantaneous torque with a significant portion of the available torque becoming accessible as soon as the vehicle is engaged in Drive mode Drivers are required to keep the brake pedal firmly applied when releasing the parking brake or shifting the vehicle from Neutral or Park into Drive and then gradually ease off the brakes to initiate movement Failure to maintain brake application during this transition can cause the vehicle to move abruptly increasing the risk of an accident or unintended vehicle movementrsquoDrivers switched between bus typesNitin Dossa chairman of the Western India Automobile AssociationlsquoThe accidents with electric buses are too frequent Drivers need to be given good training and sustained on a single type of bus What is now being done is random postings of drivers in all types of buses which might be leading to confusionRegular buses have things like a clutch and other equipment while the automatic buses have a different way of working Every type of bus needs to be treated differentlyrsquoAnother transport expert saidIt is unlikely that the bus speeds up like this when the handbrake is released There could be issues with maintenance or driver trainingOfficial SpeakTrushna Vishwasrao BEST chairpersonlsquoTaking note of the seriousness of this accident a fourmember committee of senior BEST Undertaking officials has been formed to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter and submit a report to the administration immediately The crash is being examined not only by BEST but also through a technical review involving the wetlease operatorrsquoSoftwarebased Torque managementThe expert noted that many manufacturers use software controls to manage sudden power delivery ldquoTo balance the instant torque characteristics of electric powertrains with drivability and safety several manufacturers employ softwarebased torque management systems that regulate the amount of torque delivered when the vehicle begins moving from a standstillrdquoHow driver allocation has changedEarlierBESTowned modelgtgt BEST directly employed drivers and conductorsgtgt BEST owned the busesgtgt Depot traffic inspectors assigned daily dutiesgtgt Driverconductor pairings were managed internallygtgt Vehicle checks and operational accountability remained with BESTNowWetlease model contractgtgt Contractors own and operate busesgtgt BEST pays operators on a perkilometre basisgtgt BEST determines routes and service requirementsgtgt Contractors control drivers and daytoday operationsFleet compositionBESTowned buses Approximately 249Wetleased contract buses The vast majority of the fleetSimilar pattern in recent Olectra bus accidentsLocation Reported sequenceKurla Bus was stationary after moving off it allegedly continued accelerating Bhandup Bus was stationary acceleration reportedly occurred after handbrake releaseDadar Bus was stationary acceleration reportedly occurred after handbrake release