Patna: Misuse of a battery management application has emerged as a concern for e-rickshaw drivers in Patna, with operators alleging that unauthorised access to the software has temporarily locked batteries, leaving vehicles stranded and causing financial losses. Local dealers and the Patna District E-Rickshaw Drivers Association have called for greater awareness and stricter regulation of battery management software.Govt of India recently pulled plugs on Chinese battery management apps like BAT-BMS, Lossigy and Epoch-i-ion. They have been removed from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store to ensure the integrity of battery management systems and protect users. Despite this, a glitch was reported on Tuesday when e-rickshaw driver Shankar Kumar experienced a sudden battery shutdown near Gate no. 41, Mainpura. “The vehicle was later restored at a service workshop,” the Patna District E-Rickshaw Driver Association said.Manish Kumar, an e-rickshaw driver, said, “The vehicle was working properly, but days back, while returning from R-Block roundabout, it suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. The mechanic later told me the problem was due to the BAT-BMS app. The repair took almost 24 hours, leading to significant financial loss.”Keshav Raj, an authorised e-rickshaw dealer and service centre representative, said customers were increasingly approaching service centres with software-related complaints. “Around 70-100 complaints have been registered over the week having the same battery management issue,” he said, adding, “There have also been cases in which the battery system gets completely affected, resulting in the replacement of the entire system.”Patna District e-Rickshaw Drivers’ Association general secretary Himanshu Kumar Thakur said, “Four days back, around 50 rickshaws faced the issue simultaneously, triggering worries among drivers. The first case was reported by a woman driver near Ramnagari. No police complaint has been lodged as the issues are being resolved at service workshops.”Patna district transport office (DTO) officials on condition of anonymity said it had not received any official complaint but was creating awareness among drivers and coordinating with the cyber cell and senior district officials to monitor the situation.
