China’s explosive solution to EV fires
This carmaker has been accused of making a potentially dangerous situation even worse, with its attempt at solving a very modern problem.
A Chinese automaker has demonstrated a battery ejection feature with the potential to do more harm than good.
In a video shared on X, the China Vehicle Collision Repair Technical and Research Centre demonstrated how an vehicle built by FAW can explosively jettison a damaged battery pack in the event of a serious fault.
The safety system works in a similar fashion to airbags, which erupt out of interior trim propelled by small explosive charges.
According to the research centre, the tech could safely remove batteries that are beginning to overheat or enter “thermal runaway”, a reaction that can cause fires. This approach protects passengers and reduces the risk of damaging the rest of the car.
The vehicle used in the prototype demonstration appeared to be a Bestune model.
Carmaker Bestune is under the FAW group, which has gained attention for offering battery swapping technology.
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The Chinese carmaker provides its customers with the ability to exchange a flat battery for a charged one in just a few minutes by driving through a battery swapping station.
The brand’s NAT model was the first to work with the Evogo swapping network, which allows drivers to rent the number of battery modules they need for a trip.
Bestune vehicles are not currently sold in Australia, and no EVs available locally offer battery swapping or ejection systems.
However, while the ejection concept aims to improve safety, it has also raised concerns.
Some social media users questioned whether ejecting a heavy battery pack could create new risks.
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One comment read: “Are we trying to kill pedestrians instead of putting vehicle occupants at risk?”
While another commenter said, “absolutely annihilating the kids walking down the sidewalk.”
According to the user who originally posted the video, it would only work under specific conditions, where the car has at least 6m of free space on its side, free of anything flammable.
It’s a prototype technology we are unlikely to see on the road in Australia soon.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said there are “serious safety and practical concerns” with the safety system.
“EV battery fires are very rare, but in the event one does occur, the last thing we want is the battery being ejected out of the vehicle like a cannon,” he said.
“That does not sound even remotely safe.
“In the rare event of an EV battery fire, the NRMA recommend that people exit the vehicle safely, call emergency services and stay at a distance; don’t try to put it out yourself.”
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The prototype demonstration comes at a time when government officials are becoming increasingly concerned about increased EV-related incidents.
Recently, China announced it will look to investigate whether it’ll ban power-operated handles that sit flush with car doors following a series of incidents that left drivers trapped inside thanks to a damaged battery fault.
Flush-door handles have become popular among electric vehicles as they improve aerodynamic efficiency and driving range.
In one case, an electric door handle motor froze, preventing passengers from escaping and causing them to miss a critical rescue opportunity.
And in the same year, during Guangdong’s rainy season, heavy storms short-circuited door handles on some vehicles, forcing passengers to break their car windows to escape.
Originally published as China’s explosive solution to EV fires
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