Hyundai Mobis, the auto parts manufacturing arm of Hyundai Motor Group, said Monday it developed advanced technology that effectively prevents electric vehicle battery fires, the first of its kind to be incorporated into mass-produced vehicles.
Hyundai Mobis said the new battery system will significantly reduce the fear of EV fires. Although the specifics, including the timeline for implementing the technology in Hyundai Motor Company and Kia vehicles, remain undisclosed.
The new fire-suppressing battery system consists of hardware components such as the battery management system, extinguishing devices and battery cases, along with the software that controls them.
The BMS monitors the temperature, voltage and pressure of the battery system using real-time data collected by internal sensors to identify any abnormalities. Upon detecting an issue, it precisely targets the affected battery cell and instructs the extinguisher to spray the fire suppressant. While battery manufacturers also develop BMS and battery diagnostic tools, sources said that Hyundai Mobis is the only one that integrates fire-suppressing features.
The battery system contains extinguishing agents with a capacity five times that of a standard 3.3-kilogram household fire extinguisher. This agent is a cooling, insulating and penetrating substance that is environmentally friendly and harmless to humans.
Hyundai Mobis underscored that its technology is expected to be well-received as a next-generation safety innovation in global markets. Notably, Europe, China, India and others are mandating that thermal runaway be delayed for at least five minutes after the EV battery cell catches fire, and some countries are pushing for regulations that completely prevent thermal transfer.
While developing this technology, the company has filed three domestic and international patents, covering innovations in battery case and extinguishing device design and piping systems for high-pressure spraying of extinguishing agents.
“As large-sized EVs offering extended driving ranges are penetrating the market, the safety standards for battery systems are becoming increasingly stringent,” stated Park Yong-jun, vice president of the battery system R&D division at Hyundai Mobis. “We aim to introduce advanced battery systems that integrate both hardware and software and exceed global standards.”
hyejin2@heraldcorp.com
