Thermal Behavior of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Electric Vehicles Under the Hot Climatic Conditions of The Republic of Uzbekistan and an Assessment of Potential Harm to Humans
Keywords:
electric vehicle, lithium-ion battery, traction battery, thermal behavior, thermal runaway, high temperature, hazardous factors, toxic gases, human safety, UzbekistanAbstract
The article examines the thermal behavior of lithium-ion traction batteries in electric vehicles operated under the hot and sharply continental climatic conditions of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The relevance of the study stems from the rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles in the country and from the effects of high ambient temperatures on electrochemical processes, internal resistance, heat generation, and the operational safety of battery systems. According to the National Statistics Committee, 86,100 electric vehicles were registered in Uzbekistan as of 1 October 2025. High ambient temperatures, combined with solar radiation, heated road surfaces, intensive vehicle operation, and fast charging, are shown to increase battery-pack temperature. The issue is especially significant for Uzbekistan because summer air temperatures reach 35–40 °C across most of the country and rise to 43–48 °C or higher during certain periods.
The sequence through which a hazard develops is considered as follows: rising battery temperature → acceleration of electrochemical and parasitic reactions → increased heat generation → localized overheating → cell degradation → possible thermal runaway. Potential hazards to humans arising from accidental battery damage are analyzed separately, including high temperature, thermal radiation, toxic and flammable gases, aerosol particles, and products of electrolyte thermal decomposition. Recent studies show that lithium-ion batteries undergoing thermal runaway may release CO, CO₂, H₂, hydrocarbons, and HF, thereby creating simultaneous toxic, fire, and explosion hazards.
An approach is proposed for the integrated assessment of thermal hazards in electric-vehicle battery systems, taking into account Uzbekistan’s climatic conditions, operating mode, state of charge, and the effectiveness of the thermal-management system.
