The shift from ICE to EV manufacturing introduces new HSE challenges in automotive production and testing. With increasing electrification, the risk of battery fires and thermal runaway—where a lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state—has become a critical priority. Car manufacturers must safeguard both operators and facilities from the potentially severe consequences of such events. If a thermal runaway incident occurs—during testing, vehicle assembly, or other activities—you need a vehicle mover prepared to respond instantly and mitigate catastrophe through rapid vehicle extraction.
Safety and security for the EV revolution
Stringo’s Thermal Runaway Enhancement Kit (TREK) provides enhanced protection for both operators and facilities. Remote control operation keeps the operator at a safe distance, while additional enhancements enable safe vehicle placement even under critical circumstances. When there is a risk of thermal runaway that endangers workers and the surroundings, Stringo with TREK delivers a crucial safety solution: enabling the quick and secure removal of unstable vehicles—always within the boundaries set by the time frame and temperatures of the incident.
“To our customers, our vehicle movers are seen as a safety investment. Keeping both people, vehicles and surroundings safe is really at the heart of what we do at Stringo"
Thermal Runaway – Keys facts
Runaway temperature: Thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries typically occurs between 130 °C and 200 °C (266 °F and 392 °F), depending on chemistry, size, and design.
Trigger: It happens when heat generation inside the cell exceeds the battery’s ability to dissipate it – often observed as a temperature rise of more than 20 °C (68 °F) per minute. Consequences: Rapid heat build-up can lead to cell venting, toxic gas release, fire, and in severe cases, explosion.
Safe operating range: Lithium-ion batteries generally operate safely up to about 60 °C (140 °F). Above this, the risk of accelerated degradation and failure increases significantly.
Fire suppression: Lithium-ion battery fires are difficult to extinguish because the materials inside the cells are self-oxidizing and can sustain combustion without external oxygen.
Stringo’s Thermal Runaway Enhancement Kit (TREK)
Available for Stringo S5 PLUS and S5 4WM
TREK is designed to enhance safety and control in critical situations.
The kit consists of three key parts:
- Remote control system – Delivers the same functionality as the regular control handle, with very high precision and easy maneuvering at distances of up to 100 meters. Equipped with an emergency override mode that allows the operator to finish safe vehicle placement even if a fault code is triggered.
- Added steel plates – Mounted in front of and on top of the battery, providing extra protection against heat.
- Check valves – Special safety valves on the press arm cylinders ensure that Stringo securely holds the vehicle, even in the unlikely event of a hydraulic failure during evacuation.
Remote control system
Operate Stringo® from a distance (Stringo must always be visible by remote operator). Reduces risk for operator being exposed to harm.
Added steel plates
Provides extra protection and reduces risk of battery overheating.
Check valves
Reduce risk of loosing a loaded vehicle if hydraulic hoses are damaged.
For maximum power and traction, TREK can be ordered with the High Performance (HP) drive motor. This 5 kW AC motor comes standard with a larger, non-marking rubber drive wheel – delivering both strength and precision when it matters most.
