Chery Raises Bar In Hybrid Battery Safety With Tropical Climate Test In Indonesia
Chery has taken a significant step in showcasing the safety of its hybrid vehicle by completing the second phase of its Global Safety Challenge in Jakarta, Indonesia. The brand highlighted the exceptional resilience of the Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) battery under extreme tropical climate conditions.
As part of the brand’s “Revolution of Safety” initiative, Chery subjected a pair of CSH batteries to a gruelling test by submerging them in a 1-metre-deep tank filled with seawater for over 53 hours. This intense evaluation simulated the corrosive, high-pressure conditions faced in flood-prone regions typical of Southeast Asia.
Following the test, the batteries were reinstalled into a Tiggo 8 CSH SUV and driven down a steep ramp by Zeng Shuo, Vice President of Chery Sales Indonesia, to reaffirm the battery’s safety and functionality post-immersion. Zeng was accompanied by Budi Darmawan Jantania, Director of Chery Sales Indonesia.
According to Rifkie Setiawan, Head of Brand Department of Chery Sales Indonesia, the test comprehensively validated the battery’s insulation performance, structural integrity, and charge/discharge stability, proving its real-world readiness for Malaysia and neighbouring markets. “These results confirm that Chery’s battery systems are built to remain robust even under the most extreme environmental conditions,” he said. 
The seawater test far exceeds conventional waterproof benchmarks. With its high conductivity and corrosiveness, seawater dramatically accelerates battery degradation. Yet Chery’s CSH battery maintained full operational capability, effectively mitigating risks like short circuits, leakage, or fire.
The technology behind the test is Chery’s Guardian Battery Technology, built around an 18.3 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. Withstanding temperatures from -35°C to 60°C, it delivers up to 90 km of pure EV range, fast charges from 30% to 80% in 20 minutes, and integrates a Chainmail Battery Safety Structure with 14 anchor points that enhance chassis rigidity by 7%. It also can withstand extrusion forces up to 200 kN (KiloNewton).
Reinforced by multilayer insulation—10 layers at the base, 15 on the sides, and 16 thermal layers—the battery has already undergone a suite of extreme trials in China including spiral rollovers, dual collisions, a 7-vehicle stack test, 55 km/h intrusion test, 4.9-metre drop test, and 720-hour salt spray exposure.
With tropical nations like Malaysia and Indonesia experiencing flash floods and high humidity, Chery’s real-world validation addresses critical safety concerns for local drivers. The seawater submersion test in Indonesia directly supports Chery’s “In Somewhere, For Somewhere” strategy, which ensures its technologies are adapted for regional environments. 
The next stop in Chery’s Global Safety Challenge is Mexico, where the Tiggo 7 CSH will undergo an underbody scraping test to evaluate battery protection on rugged terrain and stability at high altitudes. Future campaigns are also planned for South Africa and Brazil, cementing Chery’s ambition to redefine global safety standards for new energy vehicles.
The successful completion of the Indonesian test reinforces trust in the Chery CSH battery’s readiness for Malaysian roads and reaffirms the brand’s long-term commitment to safety and sustainability in Southeast Asia.
For more information, visit www.chery.my
