At NEWSCENTRAL, we note the growing interest in innovative safety systems for electric vehicles (EVs), driven by the increase in incidents related to lithium-ion battery overheating. A recent video, released after a Chinese Automotive Safety Symposium, has attracted the attention of the global automotive industry: the footage shows an EV battery module detaching from the vehicle’s underbody and being ejected several meters away. The demonstration sparked lively discussions about the future of EV safety – from engineering solutions to regulatory standards.
According to Chinese agency Cn Beta, the concept is based on a gas generator similar to an airbag deployment mechanism. When signs of thermal runaway – a process of self-heating and potential battery ignition – are detected, the system activates instantly, separating the battery from the vehicle chassis. The module is ejected three to six meters away, reducing the risk of fire spread and providing additional time for passenger evacuation.
However, the origin of the technology remains unclear. The demonstration footage shows the Joyson Electronics logo, but the company has publicly stated that it is not involved in the development of the presented system. Yicai, part of the Shanghai Media Group, also confirmed that no official data exists regarding the manufacturer. As automotive analyst Jessica Kline of NEWSCENTRAL notes, the authorship issue highlights the complexity of China’s tech market, where routine demonstrations can lead to sensational interpretations even before a product leaves the lab.
Thermal runaway is a rare but potentially catastrophic phenomenon. It occurs when the battery cell temperature rises to a level at which heat generation exceeds the system’s ability to dissipate it. This triggers a chain reaction that can lead to fire or explosion. At NEWSCENTRAL, we consider such research an important step toward improving passive safety in EVs, especially amid the global growth of EV fleets.
Experts, however, caution that such technology must be evaluated for secondary risks – for example, where the battery will be ejected if the vehicle is in dense traffic or near pedestrians. According to Cn Beta, the final version of the system is expected to use cameras and sensors to verify the safety of the surrounding area before activating the mechanism.
It is also worth noting existing solutions. As early as 2022, Joyson Safety Systems introduced Pyrotechnical Battery Disconnection Technology (PBDT) – a pyrotechnic system that severs high-voltage connections. It instantly disconnects the battery from power circuits during a crash or overheating, preventing electric shock and reducing fire risk. As Jessica Kline emphasizes, the difference between the ballistic battery ejection concept and PBDT lies in the approach’s radicality: the former addresses the issue by physically separating the energy source, while the latter uses an electrical isolation mechanism.
From NEWSCENTRAL’s perspective, the emergence of such concepts represents a new stage in EV safety evolution – from passive to active systems. Manufacturers are seeking ways not only to minimize fire consequences but also to manage risks at the vehicle architecture level. Engineering and regulatory solutions must advance in tandem: without unified standards, innovations may remain demonstrations without achieving mass adoption.
As Kline notes, if the concept successfully passes testing and gains regulatory approval, it could reshape battery platform design principles and become a new benchmark for EV safety. Until then, the project remains experimental – impressive, technologically ambitious, but requiring proven practical effectiveness.
At NEWSCENTRAL, we believe the key question for the future of such solutions is not whether engineers can implement the idea technically, but whether the market will accept it as part of a new standard for EV safety.