The Impact of Mechanical Failure of 18650 Batteries on the Safety of Electric Transport Operations

Henryk Bąkowski, Iga Przytuła (), Wioletta Cebulska, Damian Hadryś and Janusz Ćwiek
Additional contact information
Henryk Bąkowski: Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Iga Przytuła: Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Wioletta Cebulska: Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Damian Hadryś: Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland
Janusz Ćwiek: Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: The safety of 18650 lithium-ion batteries is critical for the reliability and durability of electric vehicles, especially as interest in sustainable transportation grows. Battery failures, such as fires or explosions, pose significant risks to both users and manufacturers, highlighting the need for advanced power systems. This study used finite element method (FEM) simulations and crash tests to evaluate battery safety in accident scenarios. The results showed that mechanical damage, especially from collisions, can cause internal short circuits, increasing the risk of thermal runaway, especially when combined with high temperatures during normal operation or charging. This can be caused by mechanical damage to the battery causing a change in the distance inside the battery, causing it to short circuit. The results highlight the importance of designing battery systems that prevent internal short circuits, especially under extreme conditions, and the need for continuous monitoring of battery parameters to detect early signs of failure. In the context of improving battery safety, the battery not only saves lives, but also extends vehicle life, reduces electronic waste, and increases energy efficiency, which is consistent with global efforts to minimize the environmental impact of technology and promote safer transportation.

Keywords: electromobility; sustainable transportation; battery safety; finite element method (FEM); crash tests (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/5980/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/5980/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:23:p:5980-:d:1531526

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().