Hyundai Mobis, the parts and technology division of Hyundai Motor Company, has introduced a groundbreaking electric vehicle (EV) battery system designed to autonomously suppress fires, addressing the critical issue of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.
Innovative Fire Suppression Mechanism
The newly developed Battery System Assembly (BSA) integrates a built-in fire extinguishing agent that activates upon detecting abnormal conditions such as overheating, overvoltage, or excessive pressure. This agent, possessing five times the capacity of a standard 3.3-kilogram home fire extinguisher, is environmentally friendly and non-toxic. It effectively cools the affected area, insulates it, and prevents the propagation of heat to adjacent cells, thereby averting potential fires or explosions.
The system’s Battery Management System (BMS) continuously monitors key parameters within the battery. Upon identifying irregularities, it promptly triggers the release of the extinguishing agent, ensuring rapid response to potential hazards.
Meeting and Exceeding Global Safety Standards
Hyundai Mobis’s innovation aligns with, and in some cases surpasses, stringent safety regulations being implemented across Europe, China, and India. These regulations mandate a minimum five-minute delay in thermal runaway progression to allow occupants sufficient time to evacuate safely. By proactively preventing thermal runaway, the BSA sets a new benchmark in EV safety.
Park Yong Jun, Vice President of Battery System R&D at Hyundai Mobis, stated:
“As large electric vehicles with improved driving range appear, the safety standards for battery systems are becoming more stringent. We will integrate hardware and software to develop advanced battery systems that meet and exceed global standards, and introduce them to the global market.”I
Complementary Cooling Technologies
In addition to the self-extinguishing feature, Hyundai Mobis is exploring the use of a “pulsating heat pipe” system composed of aluminium and cooling liquid. This technology aims to enhance heat dissipation during rapid charging, thereby improving battery longevity and performance.
Visual Demonstration
For a visual representation of this innovative technology, you can watch the following video: