In October 2025, SERMA Technologies, a subsidiary of SERMA Group, opened a new 5,000 m² facility dedicated to battery abuse testing and safety near Orléans, France. Located in Neuville-aux-Bois, the centre reinforces SERMA’s role in supporting the energy transition and strengthening French and European expertise in electric mobility. The indoor infrastructure allows a comprehensive programme of extreme malfunction tests, eliminating weather-related variables and ensuring safe, controlled treatment of any gases and fumes.
Equipped to handle battery packs up to 150 kWh as well as full vehicles, the facility expands on SERMA’s existing cell and module testing capabilities. It performs a broad spectrum of abuse tests, including thermal runaway simulations with heating pads and nail penetration, mechanical stress assessments such as crushing, dropping, and impact, and electrical evaluations covering short circuits, overloads, and overcurrent situations. Additional protocols include thermal shock and over-temperature trials, immersion and vacuum environmental tests, and adherence to international standards (UN 38.3, ECE R100, KMVSS, GB, IEC, UL) alongside customer-specific procedures.
The project benefits from financial support provided by the Green Fund – France Nation Verte and the France 2030 initiative. This backing underscores national and European commitments to rigorous battery safety standards amid increasing regulatory requirements and rapid electrification of transport.
The Neuville-aux-Bois centre complements the more than 20,000 m² of SERMA’s existing testing infrastructure across France. Earlier in 2025, SERMA inaugurated two additional sites: a 6,500 m² centre in Martillac, developed in partnership with ACC – Automotive Cells Company for electrical and environmental testing of cells and modules, and a 3,500 m² facility in Lardy, created with Renault Group to conduct electrical and abuse tests on the automaker’s battery modules and packs. Together, these investments reinforce SERMA’s position as a leading provider of battery testing services and its long-term support for the European e-mobility industry.
Source: SERMA Technologies Press Release
