By Ayush Arya
Copyright timesnownews
A new Chinese safety technology designed to combat electric vehicle battery fires has sparked widespread debate after a dramatic public demonstration. Developed by the Chinese Vehicle Collision Repair Technical and Research Centre, the system is built to eject an EV’s battery pack from the car in less than a second if a thermal runaway is detected. The feature was showcased on a Chery iCar 03T, where the battery pack shot roughly 10 to 20 feet away from the vehicle before safety crews covered it with a fire blanket. However, the carmaker has denied any involvement in the said technology. The video, widely shared on Chinese social media, drew immediate attention for both its boldness and its potential hazards. Also Read: Hyundai Festive Offers: i20, Creta And More Get Discounts Up To Rs 5.05 Lakh Supporters argue the system is intended to protect occupants from fires that can develop rapidly and are notoriously difficult to extinguish. However, many questioned whether launching a heavy, possibly flaming battery into public spaces simply trades one risk for another. Concerns include batteries landing on pedestrians, colliding with moving vehicles, or igniting nearby materials. While battery fires occur less frequently than internal combustion engine fires, their intensity and unpredictability have pushed engineers to find new safety solutions. Yet experts warn that an ejection system could become ineffective in real-world crashes where structural damage prevents the battery from deploying as designed. Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Festive Season 2025 Offers: Check Discounts On Brezza, Alto, Swift, Grand Vitara And Others Other companies are taking different approaches to the same problem. Renault, for example, is developing designs that make it easier for firefighters to access and cool battery packs. Geely Auto is focusing on insulated casings and heat-resistant designs, while researchers globally are working on battery chemistries less prone to thermal runaway. (Source: Epoch Times)
