Mahindra’s official investigation into the January 25 BE 6 fire near Gulaothi, Uttar Pradesh confirms the blaze originated from a fully deflated rear tyre driven at highway speeds. The high-voltage battery pack and motor remained intact and fully functional.
Official investigation finds fire originated from deflated rear tyre after prolonged driving at highway speeds
Mahindra & Mahindra has issued an official statement regarding the Mahindra BE 6 fire incident that occurred on January 25, 2026, near Gulaothi in Uttar Pradesh, confirming that the fire was caused by overheating from a fully deflated rear tyre and not by any battery malfunction.
The company stated that a thorough on-site investigation, combined with onboard sensor data and software diagnostics, confirms that the high-voltage battery pack and motor remained fully intact and unaffected during the incident.
According to Mahindra’s official findings, the vehicle 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. The sustained friction between the flat tyre and the road surface led to excessive heat buildup, triggering a rear wheel high-temperature alert.
Mahindra confirmed that all safety systems functioned as designed. A tyre high-temperature alert was issued, following which protective measures were activated. These included limiting vehicle speed and initiating a controlled system shutdown, safely bringing the vehicle to a halt. All occupants exited the vehicle safely and were unharmed.
The company further clarified that onboard data showed the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and TCS (Traction Control System) were actively intervening to manage wheel spin caused by the deflated tyre. The rear right wheel temperature warning was triggered due to excessive friction.
Analysis of bystander video footage, according to Mahindra, confirms that the fire originated from the rear right tyre rubber, establishing the root cause of the incident.
Importantly, Mahindra stated that despite intense thermal stress originating externally, the battery health parameters and individual cell voltages remained within specified limits, and the motor remained fully functional.
In our earlier report, ElecTree had highlighted that visual evidence did not indicate a battery thermal runaway event and suggested that tyre-related overheating may have been the trigger. The official statement now confirms that assessment.
Mahindra reiterated that all its vehicles are designed to meet the highest quality and safety standards and urged customers to always heed vehicle alerts and warnings, particularly tyre pressure notifications, which are critical for safe operation.
The incident had gained widespread attention after a video of the burning vehicle circulated on social media, prompting debate over EV safety. The company’s findings now clarify that the event was mechanical in nature and not linked to the electric drivetrain.
Suhail Gulati
Suhail Gulati is the founder of ElecTree and an economist by training, with a passion for electric vehicles that goes far beyond numbers and analysis. A former banker turned EV enthusiast, Suhail writes to share the latest insights, trends, and future possibilities in the world of electric mobility. Through ElecTree, he hopes to connect with fellow enthusiasts and anyone curious about the shift toward sustainable transportation. Outside of his work in the EV space, Suhail has a deep love for music, good food, and the thrill of a football match. Whether he’s analyzing market trends or discovering the newest electric innovations, he’s always excited to bring readers along for the journey.