Geely puts Galaxy TT through thermal runaway test with engineer inside

Geely Galaxy and CATL have carried out a public battery safety test in Greater China, with the Geely Galaxy TT undergoing a thermal runaway test with a person inside the vehicle.

Geely's chief engineer was seated inside the Galaxy TT during the test as a single battery cell was deliberately pushed into thermal runaway.

The test was designed to show how the vehicle and battery pack respond under conditions that closely replicate a real-world emergency, with an occupant remaining in the cabin throughout.

The test comes shortly after China's new GB 38031-2025 national standard for electric vehicle traction battery safety took effect on 1 July 2026. The updated standard sets a higher safety threshold for thermal runaway, requiring batteries to prevent fire and explosion.

Geely says the Galaxy TT goes beyond those requirements, with the battery pack also designed to prevent visible smoke from entering the cabin.

Another difference is the length of the test. Under the new national standard, the battery is monitored for two hours after thermal runaway. For the Galaxy TT test, Geely extended the monitoring period to 24 hours to assess the vehicle and battery pack over a longer period.

During the test, thermal runaway was triggered in a single battery cell. According to Geely, the battery pack showed no open flame or explosion, and the thermal runaway did not spread to other cells.

The Galaxy TT also uses what Geely calls its "zero thermal runaway" safety technology, which incorporates dedicated channels to direct high-temperature and potentially toxic gases out of the battery pack rather than into the passenger compartment.

As a result, Geely says there was no obvious smoke, irritating fumes or high-temperature gases entering the passenger area.

The vehicle also uses BMS fault alerts and real-time thermal runaway warnings through its mobile app, giving occupants additional time to leave the vehicle if a serious battery fault is detected.