Lotus’s Electric Vehicle Fire Experiment
Withstands Heat of 1,832 Degrees Fahrenheit
A Consumer Assurance and Marketing Strategy
Lotus, a renowned global premium brand, recently conducted a series of experiments to showcase the safety and durability of its electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This response to growing consumer concerns following several high-profile EV fires and explosions last year was aimed at addressing the company’s concerns.
One such incident occurred in Cheongna, South Korea, where an EQE350+ model caused a devastating fire in an underground parking lot. The car, which was not charging, began emitting smoke and suddenly exploded into a large flame. The fire destroyed 959 vehicles and significantly damaged the parking lot’s infrastructure, including sewage pipes and electrical wiring. The total property damage was estimated at 3.8 billion won (approximately $2.58 million). The incident sparked widespread anxiety about EV safety, contributing to a sharp decline in consumer confidence and EV sales.
Rising Concerns Over EV Fires
Lotus Releases Test Footage
In response to these concerns, Lotus aimed to reassure consumers by releasing test footage of their next-generation hyper EV models, the Eletre and Emira. Both vehicles underwent rigorous testing to demonstrate their battery safety. Notably, Lotus exposed the battery pack to 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit)—an extreme heat typically damaging for most battery systems. Thanks to aviation-grade insulation, the Lotus battery pack withstood the heat without sustaining any internal damage, showcasing its resilience.
Preventing Heat Spread
Focused on Battery Protection
Specially designed air ducts and floor cooling plates here prevent heat from spreading. When the battery temperature rises, the water pump is activated to reduce the risk of accidents significantly. Not only that. EVs are very sensitive to external impacts and have a high probability of fire, but Lotus has tried to protect the battery from external impacts.
A high-strength beam structure protected the battery, and no accidents occurred even when it was tested, like a new car crash on the front, side, and floor. This proves its outstanding safety. In addition, it underwent a durability test of immersing the battery in seawater for 24 hours and a whopping 50 rigorous tests. This is where Lotus’s efforts to block the risk of fire caused by external factors stand out.
Harsh Battery Durability Tests
Proving Safety to Reassure Consumers
EV fires are more hazardous than traditional vehicle fires due to the composition of the battery pack, which consists of hundreds of individual cells. If a short circuit occurs in one cell, it can trigger thermal runaway, causing the fire to spread to other cells and reignite even after the visible flames have been extinguished. Since the battery is encased in a metal shell, traditional fire extinguishing agents are often ineffective, making these fires particularly difficult to control. Lotus’s extensive testing and commitment to improving battery safety serve to reassure consumers that their EVs are designed to withstand extreme conditions and mitigate the risks associated with battery fires.
Lotus’s experiments reassure consumers concerned about EV safety and serve as a strategic marketing tool. They demonstrate the brand’s dedication to innovation and safety in the rapidly growing EV market.
