Stellantis Has A Wild Idea For EV Fires: Exploding Bolts That Drop The BatteryMotorBiscuitSaajan JogiaFri, September 25, 2026 at 3:27 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleWhat if an electric vehicle could drop its battery pack and drive away when a fire starts? That unusual idea is at the center of a new patent from Stellantis, where engineers are exploring a system that could separate a burning battery from the vehicle before the fire causes more extensive damage.CarBuzz reported on the patent that describes a system designed to separate an EV's high-voltage battery from the rest of the vehicle during a thermal runaway event. The goal is not necessarily to prevent the battery from burning, but to keep the fire from taking the entire vehicle with it.EV battery fires are considered relatively uncommon, but they can be particularly difficult to deal with because of the large battery packs used in modern electric vehicles. Stellantis' patent focuses on reducing the consequences if a battery does catch fire, with the inventors specifically describing a system intended to prevent the vehicle from becoming a total loss.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe proposed setup would allow the battery pack to be rapidly detached from the vehicle. Several activation methods are outlined, including an automatic system controlled by the vehicle's electrical system, mechanical or electronic controls, and a button integrated into the touchscreen.Two firemen are putting out a car fireOnce activated, the system could trigger pyrotechnic fasteners that disconnect the battery from the vehicle. In simple terms, these components would use exploding bolts to release the battery pack, allowing it to drop away from the vehicle.The patent also describes an alternative involving what it calls "castellated frames." These interlocking sections would be designed to separate and allow the battery to fall from the underside of the vehicle without relying exclusively on pyrotechnic fasteners.Removing the battery creates another obvious problem: an electric vehicle would no longer have its primary source of propulsion. Stellantis' proposed solution is to temporarily use the vehicle's conventional 12-volt battery to move it away from the discarded pack.AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to the patent description, the vehicle could potentially perform this maneuver automatically, without requiring the driver to remain in control. The system would move the vehicle far enough away from the battery to reduce its exposure to the fire.The design also accounts for the sudden loss of the battery pack. Because the battery can weigh around 2,000 pounds, removing it would increase the vehicle's ride height, potentially providing enough clearance for the vehicle to move over the battery after it has been released.It is encouraging to see automakers exploring ways to protect vehicles from being destroyed/totaled in the event of thermal runaway. While there is no guarantee that this technology will make it into production vehicles, the concept could open the door to further solutions for dealing with EV battery fires.