Electric vehicle (EV) fires continue to be one of the hardest challenges for carmakers. Once a battery catches fire, it is extremely difficult to put out, and in some cases, flames can reignite even after being extinguished.
Engineers worldwide are working on safer designs that make batteries tougher during crashes. However, in China, a very unusual method has been revealed.
Instead of keeping the battery inside a reinforced structure, a new prototype system throws the entire pack out of the car at high speed during emergencies. If the battery overheats, the system acts like a launcher; sensors trigger a mechanism that ejects it from the vehicle.
The idea is to protect passengers from the immediate danger of fire or explosion. While the concept may sound like innovation, many viewers see it as a dangerous stunt rather than a real-world solution.
Battery as a projectile
The demonstration was captured in a viral video on Chinese social media. In the clip, a large battery suddenly shoots out from the side of an SUV. Within seconds, smoke rises from the pack as it lands in a designated test area lined with pillows. Safety workers rush in with fire blankets to control the situation.
Chinese media reports say the system works almost like an airbag. Once sensors detect a thermal runaway, the ejection can happen in less than a second.
The battery is flung about 3 to 6 meters, which equals roughly 10 to 20 feet. Supporters of the project argue that moving the battery away from the cabin reduces the danger for passengers inside.
Critics pointed out that while the battery lands in a safe area during tests, its path in real traffic is unpredictable.
On a busy road, however, it could land on pedestrians, other cars, or even across traffic lanes. A battery pack can weigh several hundred pounds, and turning it into a projectile may introduce risks worse than the fire itself.
Safety or new hazard?
Public reaction to the test was mixed, but many commenters online voiced strong concerns. A few users called the demonstration “unbelievable,” and others described it as “the most dangerous safety system ever designed.”
Some pointed out that in a serious accident where battery fires are likely, the car’s body could deform too much to allow any ejection. That would leave passengers with a damaged battery and an uncontrollable fire inside the vehicle.
There are also concerns about the stability of such a system in real-world conditions. EV crashes vary widely, and the level of chaos during a collision makes it uncertain that any precise ejection could work as planned.
In addition, installing a complex launcher system might make vehicles more expensive without improving safety in most scenarios.
Who staged the test?
Clues suggest the event was organized by the China Automotive Collision Repair & Technology Research Center. The stage background in the video mentioned the “Power Battery Launch Technology Demonstration and Exchange Meeting,” which took place on September 19, 2025.
The prototype SUV used in the demo looked similar to the iCar 03T. However, the automaker quickly released a statement saying the system had nothing to do with them.
On its official social media, the Chery-owned brand posted: “This has nothing to do with iCAR, please be rational.” Reports also claimed that Joyson Group might have played a role in the project, but the company publicly denied involvement.
In the end, the project has attracted more criticism than praise. Many experts argue that while EV fire risks are serious, turning a battery into a flying hazard is not a realistic path forward. Safer designs, stronger materials, and advanced fire suppression systems remain the focus for most serious researchers.