Hyundai Mobis has launched a new EV battery fire safety technology to stop thermal runaway in electric vehicles. The system activates a fire extinguishing agent when it detects a battery cell ignition. This method prevents heat from spreading to nearby cells, unlike traditional materials that only delay the effect.

The company designed this system to stop thermal runaway, not just slow it down. Countries like Europe, China, and India now require battery systems to delay fire spread for at least five minutes. Some nations are tightening rules further to block heat transfer altogether. Hyundai Mobis expects its cell-level extinguishing tech to set new safety standards in the global EV battery fire safety market.

EV Battery Fire Safety System Uses Sensors and Fire Suppressant Logic

Hyundai Mobis integrated a battery management system (BMS), a fire extinguishing device, and a battery case into the solution. Real-time sensors track temperature, voltage, and pressure inside the battery. When they detect an abnormality, the system pinpoints the affected area and triggers the fire suppression.

The software makes quick, precise decisions and uses redundant logic for backup, Hyundai said. It manages physical battery changes in real-time, supporting overall vehicle safety.

High-Performance Fire Agent and Patent Plans

The extinguishing agent offers five times the capacity of a standard 3.3-kilogram home fire extinguisher. It provides top-tier cooling, insulation, and reach within the battery pack. Hyundai Mobis designed the agent to be environmentally friendly and safe for humans, it said.

The company filed three patents related to this system: one for the battery case, one for the extinguishing device, and one for the high-pressure spray piping layout.

Expanding Safety and Thermal Management Solutions

“As large EVs with improved driving range appear, the safety standards for battery systems are becoming more stringent,” Park Yong Jun, VP of the battery system R&D group at Hyundai Mobis, said in a statement. He added that the company will continue to develop advanced battery systems “that meet and exceed global standards.”

Hyundai Mobis also created a new material, the pulsating heat pipe, to reduce battery overheating. Made of aluminum alloy and refrigerant, this thermal system helps regulate internal temperatures during fast charging. The company plans to commercialize it as part of broader EV battery fire safety efforts.