A Review on Fire Prevention and Suppression Solutions for EV Battery Packs

The lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to fires or explosions due to their extremely volatile nature. The energy-dense batteries, such as Li Ni_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1 O₂/Graphite(NMC811) battery that meets the consumer range demands, are most vulnerable under thermal events. A wide number of solutions are being explored to suppress or prevent battery fires. The solutions range from integrating active cooling techniques, passive heat dissipation using heat carrier pads, thermal insulating materials to prevent thermal propagation, safety vents to remove ejecta, and protection circuitry with an advanced battery management system. This paper reviews various safety solutions employed in battery packs for preventing or suppressing potential fire during any thermal runaway event. The identified safety solutions also feature distinctive methods such as using hydrogel agents, aerosol fire suppressants, and design features. Among the reviewed countermeasures, we provide a detailed analysis of the recent heat mitigation techniques that use thermal barrier pads in battery pack design. Overall, our analysis highlights the need for a multi-layered approach to battery safety, including both active and passive measures.