Lithium batteries are still a fire hazard.

Originally posted by Hanrahan ↑

Boeing had heartaches getting the Dreamliner's batteries safe and I suggest a little home town help from the FAA.

Now it is Airbus's turn. They have got a home town decision to approve their A 350 in Europe but the Yanks are not so accommodating.

Fire hazard from batteries will be an ever present and increasing problem as new technology packs energy more densely into the batteries. Any short will cause intense heat.

Airbus, FAA Spar Over Lithium Batteries

European regulators approve A350’s batteries, but fight continues with U.S. agency over safeguards, testing

Intended to provide backup power for the newest A350 jetliners, lithium batteries are more powerful, lighter and require less maintenance. Above, an A350 aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow earlier this month. Photo: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg News

By
Andy Pasztor
July 27, 2016 5:33 a.m. ET
1 COMMENTS
European jet maker Airbus Group SE is locked in a dispute with U.S. regulators over the safety of lithium-ion batteries installed on its latest model, according to people familiar with the details.
Escalating arguments about the extent of safeguards and testing for such rechargeable batteries—reminiscent of Boeing Co. ’s difficulties with similar technology years ago—come after European regulators already have approved the Airbus systems based on less-stringent requirements.
Intended to provide backup power for the newest A350 jetliners, lithium batteries are more powerful, lighter, require less maintenance and last slightly longer than traditional nickel-cadmium batteries used on other models. But experts say they also are more volatile and without special safety features, more prone to experience short-circuits, overheat and potentially emit smoke or fire.
A green light from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has been pending for months, with Airbus officials expressing optimism last fall that a favorable decision was imminent. But according to people familiar with the process, continuing disagreements pitting the manufacturer against FAA technical experts have created a regulatory logjam and delayed approval.
Airbus said “we are working with the FAA on certifying a battery solution,” but declined to elaborate.
With the agency continuing to evaluate the matter and no clear timeline for a final decision, the two sides can’t seem to agree on precisely what issues are blocking progress.

http://www.wsj.com/article_email/ai...atteries-1469611983-lMyQjAxMTA2MTI2NzUyOTc4Wj

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There are many different lithium chemistry batteries out there and this article does not stipulate which chemistry airbus is using. The 787 dreamliners chose to use use lithium cobalt chemistry (phone, laptop chemistry) which is not the safest chemistry out there and has a history of catching fire hence the reason why you can't pack them in checked baggage. In the marine industry the only lithium technology used is the LifePo4 which is lithium phosphate. Those are chosen because they are the safest of the lithium technology from fire/explosion and obviously the cheapest with those qualities. Obviously the airlines are chasing something other than safety from fire/explosion when using other lithium chemistry batteries. Lithium batteries are easy to overcharge and thus ruin which AGM,gel batteries etc are more forgiving which is why you need expensive battery monitoring equipment when fitting these batteries. Marine industry is very wary of fire for obvious reasons but no matter how safe a technology is there will always be some buffoon that causes a catastrophe and the blame put on that technology. There are new lithium chemistry batteries being developed now which are supposed to offer better safety from fire/explosion and when they hit the market will be out of reach cost wise for the average person until such time that they are mass produced which normally is 5 years plus but if the electric cars take them up then prices may drop quicker than has historically been the case.

I think there are actual YouTube videos on the net where the LifePo4 batteries are deliberately over charged and set on fire to show how safe they are.