Chery Malaysia Conducted a 1,000°C, 80-Second Petrol Fire Test on Tiggo PHEV Battery; Zero Thermal Runaway!

As electrified vehicles (xEV) become increasingly common in Malaysia, battery safety remains a top concern for local consumers. To demonstrate the reliability of its battery technology, Chery Malaysia subjected a Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) battery — used in the Tiggo 7 PHEV and Tiggo 8 PHEV — to a petrol fire test on April 15.

1,000°C & 80 Seconds: Why Didn't It Explode? 

During the live demonstration, Chery poured 36 litres of petrol onto the ground and set it ablaze. The 18.3 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack was then lowered directly into the intense fire for a full 80 seconds, with temperatures soaring above 1,000°C.

The results were remarkable: although the outer casing was charred and singed, the battery pack remained completely intact with no electrical failure or leakage. Most importantly, there was no sign of thermal runaway. A Chery spokesperson revealed that in a previous dry run, they opened the casing and found the internal battery cells untouched by the flames.

The Tech Behind It: 2ms Emergency Shutdown 

What makes the CSH battery so resilient? According to Chery, several advanced safety technologies work together to protect the pack.

Heat-Resistant Construction: The battery is designed to prevent fire propagation even if exposed to flames, with a normal operating temperature limit of up to 95°C.

High-Strength Crossmember: A reinforced structure built into the battery pack helps prevent deformation during impacts.

PSS Safety Switch: The system monitors for signs of thermal runaway. If any anomaly is detected, the Pyrotechnic Safety Switch (PSS) instantly disconnects the high-voltage circuit in just 2 milliseconds (0.002 seconds) — faster than the blink of an eye — giving occupants critical time to escape.

A Global "Torture Tour": Seawater, Gunshots, and More 

Men Lin Bo, Executive Vice President of Chery Malaysia, explained that these public tests are intended to demonstrate to Malaysian consumers the rigorous standards behind Chery's technology, going beyond mere specifications and data.

To prove the durability of the CSH battery, Chery has conducted a series of extreme tests around the world.

Indonesia: The battery was submerged in seawater for 53 hours. It was then reinstalled into a Tiggo 8 PHEV, which drove away without any issues.

Mexico: A Tiggo 7 PHEV underwent severe underbody scrapes against a bollard.

Ecuador: The battery was subjected to rifle fire from multiple angles.

South Africa & China: Offset frontal crashes and rollover tests were performed, including high-speed collisions involving the Tiggo 9 PHEV.

Editor's Take 

For those considering a PHEV, battery safety is always the top priority. By conducting this fire test on Malaysian soil, Chery is clearly aiming to build greater consumer confidence. If the battery can withstand direct flames and even gunfire, then Malaysia's floods and potholes should be a walk in the park. So, what do you think, Bossku? Are you feeling more confident about Chery's battery safety now?