Chinese battery manufacturer Svolt has introduced a redesigned safety architecture in its Dragon Armor 3.0 battery, separating electrical connections from pressure relief channels to better protect passengers in the event of a battery fire, according to a report by CarNewsChina.
Battery fires typically result from thermal runaway, a self-accelerating chain reaction inside a cell in which rising temperatures trigger further chemical reactions and heat generation. Once a critical threshold is reached, the process can lead to ignition and the spread of fire to adjacent cells. While prevention remains a priority, Svolt said its latest design focuses on mitigating risks should such events occur.
See also: Svolt Energy Unveils 80-kWh PHEV Battery Pack, Advances Semi-Solid-State R&D
In the Dragon Armor 3.0 pack, the positive electrical terminal and the pressure relief pathway are physically separated. This configuration directs flames and hot gases downward and away from the passenger compartment rather than toward vehicle occupants. Each component has an independent channel, reducing the likelihood that heat or fire will propagate through electrical connections.
The battery also supports compatibility with prismatic cells and structural integration methods such as Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) and Cell-to-Body (CTB), while incorporating dedicated heat dissipation pathways. Svolt said the redesign increases energy capacity by 7–10% within the same external dimensions, partly by raising cell height by 5 mm. Structural features include an impact-resistant top surface and an underside designed for pressure relief and crash protection.
See also: Svolt Targets 2026 for Volume Supply of First-Generation Semi-Solid-State Batteries
Additional safety gains come from semi-solid-state technology, which the company said raises the self-heating temperature threshold by about 8°C, extends the safety buffer time by 10%, increases the onset temperature for thermal runaway by roughly 5°C, and reduces the probability of such events by 25%.
Dragon Armor 3.0 will enter mass production in two versions: an 86 kWh pack for plug-in hybrid vehicles and a 115 kWh pack for battery-electric models. Svolt first introduced the Dragon Armor battery platform in 2022 as part of its broader effort to enhance EV safety.