Chery Tiggo 9 Endures 24 Hours Under Saltwater and a Hard Obstacle Impact in the Black Sea

Twenty-four hours underwater. That's how long the high-voltage battery of the Chery Tiggo 9 CSH spent fully submerged in a saltwater solution before engineers reinstalled it and drove the SUV over a solid obstacle to test the underbody protection system. The dual test was conducted by German engineering firm FEV in partnership with Chery.

What Happened to the Battery After Full Immersion?

The test began by submerging the 34.46 kWh high-voltage battery in a solution containing 3.5% sodium chloride — roughly the salinity of seawater. After 24 continuous hours, engineers lifted the battery and inspected the outer casing, electrical connectors, and pressure relief valve. The results were reassuring. No visible signs of corrosion, swelling, or leakage appeared. No water traces were found inside the high-voltage or low-voltage connectors. But visual inspection alone wasn't enough.

8.067 Pascals per Minute: The Number That Sealed the Test

Engineers pressurized the battery casing and monitored the pressure decay rate to detect potential air leaks. The battery recorded a leakage rate of 8.067 Pascals per minute, compared to the maximum allowable limit of 31 Pascals per minute for passing the test. That's a wide margin. The figure indicates the sealing inside the Chery Tiggo 9 CSH held up completely even after a full day under saltwater, suggesting the protection system absorbed extreme conditions without degradation.

What does that number mean for a regular driver? Hybrid vehicle batteries contain high-voltage components requiring protection from water, impact, and heat. Any compromise in insulation could lead to serious problems. This leak test specifically measures how well the outer casing seals — a direct indicator of manufacturing quality. The recorded figure — less than a third of the allowed limit — provides a wide safety margin.

Obstacle Impact: The Second Test

After passing the immersion test, the team reinstalled the battery into the Chery Tiggo 9 CSH and drove it over a solid obstacle. The goal was to measure the underbody protection system's ability to withstand impact and friction. This scenario mimics what a driver might face on unpaved roads or when passing over sharp speed bumps or debris. Combining both tests — water and impact — aims to cover two of the most dangerous threats to electric and hybrid vehicle batteries in real-world use.

More than 150 journalists from 16 European countries attended the tests, following a series of experiments designed to measure the battery's resistance to water ingress and its ability to maintain electrical insulation, then withstand direct friction with obstacles beneath the vehicle. That international turnout reflects growing interest in battery safety standards across the electric and hybrid vehicle market.

These tests come at a time when battery safety standards for electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining increasing global importance. Competition among automakers is no longer limited to range or engine power — it has extended to how well a battery can endure harsh conditions. Chery wants to prove that the Tiggo 9 CSH can compete on this front. Early results suggest the battery cleared both challenges without fundamental issues.

The question remains: will these results translate into greater European consumer confidence in the Tiggo 9 CSH? The answer depends on other factors, but the recorded figures — 8.067 Pascals versus a 31-Pascal limit — provide a strong starting point for the Tiggo 9 battery in a fiercely competitive market.