Stellantis has patented an onboard fire suppression system designed to reduce the risk of battery thermal runaway in future electric vehicles.
Stellantis has secured a patent for an integrated fire suppression system for electric vehicles and hybrids that could appear in future Jeep and Ram models. The technology is aimed at reducing the risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires and thermal runaway events.
According to the patent filing, the system relies on a reservoir filled with a fire-suppressing agent, along with a network of sensors and actuators. When the system detects a dangerous rise in temperature, specialized components puncture the container and route the suppressant into the battery’s cooling circuits. Activation occurs only when there is a high risk of a fire developing.
Stellantis notes that while EV fires are statistically rare, they are significantly more difficult to extinguish once they occur. The new system is designed to contain a fire at an early stage, potentially before emergency responders are even required. Similar solutions have previously proven effective in specialized vehicle applications, but have not been deployed at scale.
If the technology can be brought to production without adding significant weight or reducing battery capacity, it could improve overall vehicle safety and make electric vehicles more appealing to a broader range of buyers.