The electric car battery is the most crucial component of any EV and hence, its safe, fireproof, waterproof and short circuit proof nature needs to be ascertained.
How safe, fireproof, waterproof and short circuit proof is the battery of your electric car? Well, it is a pressing issue that a ton of potential electric car buyers struggle with. And it is a valid concern too. With the immediate future of mobility belonging to electric cars alone, one must be aware of the strength and behaviour of batteries to establish a smooth ownership experience of an electric car.
Is Your Electric Car Battery Safe, Fireproof, Waterproof and Short Circuit Proof?
While the battery technology in automobiles may be new, the R&D by the giant automakers regarding every single aspect of a vehicle is not. Hence, they have taken into consideration all the aspects of battery usage. This includes rigorous and thorough testing under all weather conditions, across various terrains, in different driving and traffic conditions, in battery charging scenarios, etc.
While designing the battery, the strength is taken into account. The placement of the battery is also done in such a way that during unfortunate incidents, it doesn’t get destroyed hurting the passengers. There is an imminent danger of a short circuit since a battery is nothing but a group of cells placed together. But there are fireproof materials placed between the cells to prevent that from happening. Also, the battery pack is concealed in a fireproof and waterproof cover/module.
On the outside where the charging socket of a car is located, the charging doesn’t begin until a few internal tests have been done to ensure that no water, moisture or dirt is detected in the socket or the charger. Once it is established that everything is in order, the charging of a car commences. Such basic procedure has been followed extensively by all carmakers.
Nail Penetration Test
The nail penetration test is done to stimulate an internal short circuit in the battery of an electric vehicle. It measures the temperature rise within the battery when a nail is penetrated through the battery surface, simulating damage in the event of deformation due to a crash. Batteries that pass that test prove that even in case of emergencies, the battery will not explode. Just like the safety ratings of a regular car, this test is the benchmark to rate the safety of the battery pack of an EV. With time, more such tests will become standardised to ensure homologation and road legality.
With the constant advancement and research in battery technology, things are only bound to improve further. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of new materials, techniques, and processes that would come up as every automaker shifts toward electrification. Then we would witness even more modern solutions to battery-related issues.
So, to answer the question, the batteries in EVs ARE waterproof, fireproof, short circuit proof and safe.