A battery module includes a first battery cell and a neighboring second battery cell, and an insulating member positioned therebetween. The battery module also includes a battery module enclosure surrounded by an external environment and configured to house each of the first battery cell, the second battery cell, and the insulating member. The battery module additionally includes a battery module cover mounted to the battery module enclosure. The battery module cover includes a vent feature configured to expel high temperature gases from the first battery cell and divert the high temperature gases away from the second battery cell directly to the external environment. The cover is thereby configured to minimize transfer of the high temperature gases from the first battery cell to the second battery cell and control propagation of a thermal runaway event in the battery module.