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Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) still have the potential to explode as in the attached picture. The batteries in this picture were the latest Lithium Ion Phosphate from Panasonic being charged and managed with a computer control system. Panasonic is a very reputable manufacture of all forms of batteries. This team was one of the few that had shown to Panasonic that their battery management system was sophisticated enough and took appropriate safety measures to be allowed to use these batteries.
In all forms of lithium ion batteries there is the potential for metal filaments to form between the anode and cathode. Once these filaments short circuit (usually but not exclusively during charging) the batteries discharge and self heat. They can self heat to the point that exothermic chemical reactions take place inside and thus explode.
No matter what precautions are taken, even when done by professionals, there are risks with this form of battery technology. The only safe way to use them is to plan for them to fail catastrophically and take appropriate measures to deal with that. DO NOT place a sizable lithium ion battery pack in the passenger compartment or where a person is likely to be exposed to it. DO NOT place it over a fuel tank or near a fuel line.
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