It may sound strange. But the Stellantis Group has applied for a patent for yet another 'emissions technology' for pure electric cars. However, it's not about sound.
Patent for emission for electric cars is now a reality. The Stellantis Group applied for a patent for an emission for electric cars.
The patent is not about sound, however. Instead, it is sought to increase safety. It is not like the artificial engine sounds found in some electric cars.
Stellantis' patent describes a completely different system. It involves directing flammable gases away from the battery pack.
When the battery in an electric car fails, a thermal runaway can occur, resulting in a fire that is almost impossible to extinguish.
This may be due to a short circuit, damage or improper charging. The battery can release flammable gases such as hydrogen, methane, acetylene and propane.
These gases can ignite. Stellantis' patent describes a system that channels the flammable gases away from the battery pack. In this way, the electric car itself prevents it from burning up.
The system doesn't just vent the gases out. It includes several "treatment zones." These zones chemically clean the gases before they are released.
It works a bit like a catalytic converter in a traditional car. Modern electric cars already have sensors and liquid cooling to control battery temperature. Stellantis' system adds an extra layer of fire safety.
Electric car fires are rare. Yet they have received a lot of attention. In South Korea in particular, there have been several incidents after one electric car destroyed many others in a parking garage last year. Read more about it here .
This has increased concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Other companies are also working on solutions that keep the risk of fire to a minimum.
German company Bosch has proposed using small, controlled explosions. These explosions would physically separate the battery pack itself in the event of a traffic accident. This is similar to the pyrotechnic fuses found in some cars.
An emission for an electric car may sound strange. But if it works as Stellantis expects, the auto giant may have come a long way in the name of safety.
In any case, it's much more useful than computer-generated V8 sound.
It's a step towards safer electric cars, but only time will tell if the patent becomes an industry standard.
