Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 57 mins ago
Chinese prototype ejects an EV battery pack during a fire test
A Chinese prototype ejects an electric car’s battery pack sideways when sensors detect a possible fire.
The system uses a gas generator similar to one that inflates an airbag, and the pack reportedly lands 10 to 20 feet away.
The idea is meant to move a burning battery away from the vehicle, but the project is still at an early stage.
The software needed to keep the system locked in crowded areas has not been developed.
The prototype’s claims of involvement by parts supplier Joyson Electronics and car brand iCar were denied by those companies.
Battery fires can be difficult to extinguish and may reignite, which is why automakers are exploring ways to reduce the danger.
The sources do not say when, or whether, the system will be tested in production vehicles.
A Chinese prototype is designed to eject an electric vehicle’s battery pack when its battery management system detects an impending fire.
In testing, the pack was pushed sideways clear of the vehicle in about one second.
The pack reportedly came to rest about 10 to 20 feet from the vehicle.
The system remains at an early stage, and software for identifying areas where ejection would be unsafe has not been developed.
Joyson Electronics and iCar said they had no involvement in the demonstration.
- Who
- A team behind a Chinese prototype; the specific team members are not named.
- What
- The system ejects an EV battery pack sideways when it detects that a fire is about to start.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- China; the test location is not stated.
- Why
- To move a battery pack away from a vehicle when a fire is about to start.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Clips showed the prototype ejecting a battery pack from a vehicle.
Joyson Electronics said it had no cooperation or joint development agreement with the China Collision Repair Technology Center, and iCar said it had nothing to do with the demonstration.
- Ejection time
- About one second
- Distance from vehicle
- Around 10 to 20 feet
- Ejection mechanism
- A gas generator pushes the battery pack sideways
- Named supplier in video
- Joyson Electronics
- Vehicle resembling the test car
- iCar 03 SUV