There is disclosed a safety arrangement in a motor vehicle (1) having a battery(4). The arrangement is designed to protect the battery (4) from damage in the event that the vehicle (1) is involved in an accident, as is particularly suitable for electric vehicles or so-called hybrid motor vehicles. The arrangement incorporates an inflatable unit (8) which comprises: a substantially rigid wall member (9) and a flexible layer (17) of sheet material secured to one another to define an inflatable chamber (27) between said wall member and said flexible layer. The wall member (9) is mounted in spaced relation to the battery(4), and the flexible layer (17) is interposed between the wall member (9) and the battery(4), such that inflation of said chamber(27), for example by a gas generator or the like,is effective to urge said flexible layer (17) towards said battery(4).