Seoul: Hyundai Mobis Co. has announced a significant advancement in electric vehicle (EV) safety technology with the development of a new battery safety system designed to automatically discharge a fire suppressant in the event of a battery cell ignition, effectively preventing the spread of fires to adjacent cells.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the newly developed battery technology incorporates heat-resistant materials and features a fire suppression device integrated within the battery case. The company has already filed for domestic and international patents for this innovative technology, which aims to prevent thermal runaway-a process of uncontrollable rapid overheating-at its source, rather than merely delaying the spread of heat and flames.

Hyundai Mobis, an auto parts unit of Hyundai Motor Group, emphasized that this technology is a first-of-its-kind innovation that has not yet been commercialized globally. "As more large EVs with improved driving range appear, the safety standards for battery systems are becoming more stringent," stated Park Yong-jun, vice president of Hyundai Mobis' battery system research division. He added that the company aims to integrate hardware and software to develop advanced battery systems that meet and exceed global standards, with plans to introduce them to the international market.