Stellantis Battery Safety Lab Opens in France to Strengthen EV Safety Testing

On January 29, Stellantis opened a new battery safety laboratory at the highly confidential Belchamp Test Center near Sochaux, France. The Stellantis battery safety lab will be used to evaluate electric vehicle batteries developed for the group’s multiple automotive brands, reinforcing internal validation capabilities for safety-critical components.

Focus on critical EV battery safety tests

The Stellantis battery safety lab is designed to perform two essential safety evaluations required under European electric vehicle battery regulations. These tests are central to validating battery behavior under extreme fault and fire conditions before deployment in production vehicles.

Thermal runaway testing

Thermal runaway tests assess a battery pack’s response when a severe internal fault occurs. Regulations require that a battery pack must not ignite within five minutes after a fault is detected. During testing, a battery cell is intentionally overheated to initiate failure conditions. Once flames appear, the battery pack is immediately immersed in a dedicated safety basin. Around 50 such tests are conducted each year.

Fire resistance validation

Fire resistance testing evaluates how batteries respond to both direct and indirect fire exposure. European regulations require battery systems to withstand fire conditions for more than two minutes. These tests are carried out in strict compliance with established European standards to ensure consistent and repeatable safety outcomes.

Advanced infrastructure supporting safe operations

The facility includes a 40-meter test track designed for full vehicle and battery evaluations. A 60-cubic-meter immersion tank is used to extinguish fires and limit smoke propagation during extreme testing scenarios. Remote emergency control systems enhance operator safety, while an integrated air treatment system manages emissions generated during tests.

Strategic investment and local collaboration

Construction of the Stellantis battery safety lab took two years and involved contributions from 50 companies, most of which are based in northern Franche-Comté, France. The EUR 7 million investment enables Stellantis to conduct critical EV battery safety testing internally, reducing reliance on external facilities while strengthening compliance, development speed, and technical confidentiality across its electric vehicle programs.