China tests advanced safety technology for lithium battery air transport, enhancing logistics and reducing combustion risks, reports Xinhua.
China has successfully tested a new active safety system designed for the air transport of lithium batteries, according to reports from Xinhua.
A cargo flight operated by SF Express departed from Ezhou Huahu International Airport in Hubei Province, carrying lithium batteries equipped with this innovative system. The inaugural flight coincided with a seminar focused on battery logistics supply chains, where industry experts discussed existing bottlenecks and potential solutions.
As the world's largest producer of power batteries, China recorded a lithium battery output valued at CNY 1.2 trillion (approximately US$170 billion) in 2024. The volume of air transport for these batteries increased by 21.26 percent year-on-year, reaching 645,000 tonnes. Due to the risks of combustion and explosion, regulators classify lithium batteries as high-risk cargo, which limits logistics efficiency.
This project was designated as a national key research initiative under the 14th Five-Year Plan, led by Chongqing Jiaotong University with support from CATL and the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology. Project leader Wu Jinzhong stated that the team addressed challenges related to unclear thermal runaway mechanisms, material failures, and testing gaps by developing a comprehensive safety system.
The smart protective technology employs artificial intelligence to monitor 12 indicators, including temperature and gas emissions, in real-time. It provides millisecond-level warnings and automatically initiates containment measures to prevent thermal runaway, surpassing traditional passive safety methods.
The pilot flight marks a significant transition of this technology from laboratory testing to industrial application. Wu indicated that the system will be promoted nationwide to help standardize the power battery supply chain.
