- A Controversial Real World Test
- An Innovative Yet Concerning Mechanism
- Safety and Practical Challenges
- Who Organized the Test?
- Chinese Regulations and the Push for Innovation
In the world of electric vehicles, batteries serve as both the heart and the greatest source of risk. Once ignited, battery fires are notoriously difficult to control and can burn for hours. Addressing these growing concerns, researchers in China have introduced a groundbreaking concept designed to eject the battery from the vehicle entirely during a thermal runaway, reducing danger to passengers and preventing the car from being completely consumed by fire.
A Controversial Real World Test
A widely circulated video from China shows a remarkable experiment where a large battery was forcefully ejected from an electric SUV. The battery flew several meters, between three and six, before safety personnel quickly covered it with a fire blanket.
The system activated automatically when sensors detected a sharp rise in temperature within the battery pack, signaling the onset of a potential thermal event. Within seconds, a gas based mechanism propelled the battery out of the car in a scene that looked more like science fiction than an industrial safety test.
Although the experiment demonstrated impressive response speed and effective isolation of the battery, it also raised significant safety questions, particularly regarding the risks in crowded traffic or urban environments.
An Innovative Yet Concerning Mechanism
This system relies on a series of precise sensors that constantly monitor the temperature of the battery cells. When an abnormal rise in temperature is detected, indicating the start of a thermal runaway, the system activates immediately through the following steps:
Sensors detect the temperature increase inside the battery pack.
A gas generator is triggered to push the battery module outward.
The battery is ejected to a distance of about 3 to 6 meters away from the vehicle.
Once expelled, emergency teams cover it with fire resistant blankets to contain any flames.
The idea is designed to protect passengers from direct danger inside the cabin, yet it introduces a new kind of threat if the heavy battery falls onto nearby vehicles or pedestrians. Since a single battery can weigh several hundred kilograms, the concept poses serious risks in crowded urban environments.
Safety and Practical Challenges
Although the concept is innovative, safety experts have expressed concerns about its real world feasibility, warning that it might cause more harm than benefit. Key criticisms raised during the test include:
Risk to surroundings: The heavy battery could fall on nearby cars or pedestrians.
Reliability: In severe crashes, the ejection mechanism might fail completely.
Practicality: There is still no indication that the system will be used in production vehicles.
These concerns have led many to view the experiment as a technical showcase aimed at sparking discussion rather than a practical step toward implementation.
Who Organized the Test?
The experiment took place during an event called the Power Battery Ejection Technology Demonstration and Exchange Meeting held on September 19, 2025, in China. The China Automotive Technology and Crash Repair Research Center participated in the trial.
The test sparked wide debate after the SUV used in the demonstration appeared similar to the CheryBahrain CheryKSA CheryQatar CheryOman CheryUAE CheryKuwait CheryEgypt Chery iCar 03, although Chery officially denied any involvement. Likewise, Goosen Electronics was rumored to have taken part but later issued a formal statement denying participation.
Chinese Regulations and the Push for Innovation
This experiment aligns with China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen safety standards for electric vehicles. Starting July 2026, new regulations known as GB38031-2025 will come into effect, requiring EV batteries to withstand internal failures without causing fire or explosion.
The updated regulations also introduce stricter testing procedures, including:
Bottom impact tests to assess the structural durability of the battery.
Long term charging cycle evaluations to ensure stable performance over time.
Thermal resistance inspections under extreme heat and cold to verify safety compliance.
These measures aim to push manufacturers toward more innovative battery designs and advanced safety systems, helping to prevent the kind of fire incidents that have raised public concern in recent years.
