Quick Highlights:

• Mahindra confirms the BE 6 battery and electric motor were not involved in the fire.
• Vehicle was driven for over 10 minutes at 60 km/h on a fully deflated rear right tyre.
• Fire originated from overheated tyre rubber, not the EV powertrain.
• All safety systems worked correctly and occupants exited safely without injuries.

Mahindra BE 6 Fire Incident: What Really Happened

The recent fire incident involving the Mahindra BE 6 electric SUV near Gulaothi triggered intense debate around EV safety, especially after videos of the burning vehicle spread rapidly across social media. As someone who closely tracks EV developments, I believe clarity matters more than speculation, and Mahindra’s detailed response does bring some much-needed facts to the table.

Following a comprehensive investigation, Mahindra has officially ruled out the high-voltage battery and electric motor as the cause of the fire, firmly attributing the incident to a tyre-related failure.

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Mahindra’s Official Investigation Explained

Mahindra carried out an on-site physical inspection, backed by onboard sensor data and software diagnostics, to understand the sequence of events. According to the company, the vehicle was driven for over 10 minutes at approximately 60 km/h on a fully deflated rear right tyre, despite multiple warnings being issued to the driver.

This prolonged driving caused extreme friction between the damaged tyre and the road surface, eventually leading to overheating and ignition.

What stood out to me here is the role of vehicle data. Modern EVs constantly log real-time information, and in this case, that data became the strongest evidence in identifying the real cause.

Battery and Electric Motor Cleared of Fault

One of the biggest concerns after the incident was whether the fire originated from the battery pack, a fear that often surrounds EV-related accidents. Mahindra has clearly stated that:

• The high-voltage battery remained fully intact and operational
• Battery health parameters and individual cell voltages stayed within safe limits
• The electric motor was unaffected and fully functional even after the incident

Even under intense external thermal stress, the battery’s structural and thermal protection systems performed exactly as designed. This, in my opinion, strongly reinforces how far EV safety engineering has come in recent years.

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Role of Safety Systems and Driver Warnings

Mahindra confirmed that all safety systems functioned correctly during the incident. The vehicle issued repeated tyre pressure warnings, followed by a rear right wheel high-temperature alert.

Onboard data also showed that:

• ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and TCS (Traction Control System) were actively intervening
• Protective measures such as speed limitation and system shutdown were triggered
• The vehicle was brought to a safe halt, allowing occupants to exit unharmed

This incident underlines an uncomfortable but important truth: vehicle safety systems can only help if drivers respond to warnings in time.

Official Statement from Mahindra

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“We are aware of the recent incident involving a Mahindra BE 6 vehicle near Gulaothi.

Based on a thorough on site investigation combined with onboard sensor data and software diagnostics, we confirm that the EV battery and motor remain fully intact and unaffected. Quality and safety remain our utmost priority.

The following facts have been established:

• All safety systems worked as designed. The driver and all occupants exited the vehicle safety and are unharmed.
• A tyre high temperature alert was issued, following which protective safety measures were activated. These included limiting vehicle speed and system shutdown, safely bringing the vehicle to a halt.
• Despite intense thermal stress originating from an external source, the high voltage battery remains unharmed and fully functional. Battery health parameters and individual cell voltages are within specified limits, and the motor is intact.
• Vehicle data confirms that the car was driven for over 10 minutes at approximately 60 km/h on a fully deflated rear right tyre, despite repeated tyre pressure alerts being issued.
• Onboard sensors indicate that ESP and TCS systems were actively intervening to control wheel spin of the deflated rear right tyre. The rear right wheel high temperature alert was triggered due to excessive friction between the deflated tyre and the road surface.
• Analysis of bystander video footage confirms that the fire originated from the rear right tyre rubber, establishing the root cause of the incident.

All Mahindra vehicles are designed and built to the highest quality and safety standards. We urge customers to always heed vehicle alerts and warnings, which are critical to ensuring safe operation. Customer safety remains our highest priority.”

Why This Incident Matters for EV Buyers

From my perspective, this clarification is significant because it separates myth from mechanical reality. EV fires are often quickly blamed on batteries, but this case shows that conventional components like tyres can still be the weakest link if ignored.

Mahindra’s response also highlights how data-backed investigations can protect both consumers and manufacturers from misinformation.

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Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs

Q. Was the Mahindra BE 6 battery responsible for the fire?

• No. Mahindra confirmed that the high-voltage battery and electric motor were fully intact and not the cause of the fire.

Q. What caused the Mahindra BE 6 fire near Gulaothi?

• The fire was caused by excessive friction from driving on a fully deflated rear right tyre for over 10 minutes, leading to overheating and ignition of tyre rubber.

Q. Did the vehicle issue warnings before the fire?

• Yes. The vehicle issued multiple tyre pressure alerts and a high-temperature warning, along with ESP and traction control interventions.

Q. Were there any injuries in the incident?

• No. All occupants exited the vehicle safely and without injuries, thanks to functioning safety systems.

Q. Does this incident indicate a wider EV safety issue?

• Based on Mahindra’s investigation, this was not an EV battery failure but a tyre-related incident, reinforcing that EV powertrains can remain safe even under extreme conditions.

Q. Should EV owners be concerned after this incident?

• In my view, the key takeaway is not fear, but awareness. Heeding vehicle alerts, especially tyre pressure warnings, is critical for both EVs and ICE vehicles alike.