by A New Approach to Electric Vehicle Safety
Electric vehicle fires, which are extremely difficult to extinguish, remain one of the most challenging problems for automakers. Engineers are constantly working on creating battery packs capable of withstanding accidents without igniting. However, China has presented a completely different approach: a high-speed ejection system that literally shoots the battery pack out of the vehicle during an emergency.
If this sounds less like a safety breakthrough and more like a potential accident waiting to happen, then you understand the situation correctly.
Demonstration of Battery “Shooting”
The unusual demonstration was captured on video, which went viral on Chinese social media. The recording shows a large battery module being forcefully ejected from the side of the off-roader, after which smoke appears. Safety personnel quickly covered the block with a special blanket after it landed in a designated area with cushions.
According to Chinese reports, the system operates on a principle similar to an airbag. If sensors detect a thermal event in the battery, the system can activate the ejection in less than a second, sending the battery a distance of 3 to 6 meters from the vehicle. The idea is to protect passengers from a potential fire or even explosion.
Safety Questions for Surroundings
Of course, as many commentators noted, that “other place” could turn out to be directly in the path of another moving car, on pedestrians, or into oncoming traffic. A battery block weighing hundreds of kilograms is far from a safe projectile. Moreover, in serious accidents, where fires are most likely, the car’s structure may deform so much that the ejection system jams, leaving both the fire and the heavy battery on board.
Organizers of the Demonstration
This part of the story is particularly interesting. Although official information was not found, the markings on the off-roader suggest the test was organized by the China Automotive Collision Technology and Repair Research Center. Graphics on the stage show that it took place during the “Demonstration Meeting on Power Battery Launch Technology” on September 19, 2025.
The prototype appears to be based on the iCar 03T, but the automaker was quick to distance itself from the experiment. On its Chinese social media pages, the brand owned by Chery stated:
This has nothing to do with iCAR, please be sensible.
Reports also claimed that Joyson Group might have collaborated on the project, but the company has since denied its involvement.
Despite all this spectacle, the so-called rocket-style ejection system is unpromising. Ejecting a half-ton battery into traffic is not a safety feature, but a flying object with responsibilities. In real accidents, where it might matter, the mechanism itself would likely be damaged before it activates. This is not progress, it’s theater.
Screenshots Weibo
Similar experimental technologies often appear in the automotive industry, especially in early development stages. While the goal of fire prevention is noble, the practical implementation raises serious safety doubts. Traditional methods of improving battery pack protection and passive safety systems seem to remain a more reliable path for ensuring the safety of both passengers and the public. The automaker’s quick denial of involvement suggests the industry is aware of the potential risks and reputational damage associated with such radical concepts.
