BMW has been using them for 20 years or more. When the Airbags are deployed the primary battery connection servers power to fuel pump, etc. leaves only the lights and some other accessories working.
I don't know about the Model 3, but at least in the Model S Performance, the main breakers are some short cables with a pyrotechnic charge. When the maximum current is exceeded, the explosives blow up the cables... After all, they are only triggering in excess of 1500 amps. Seems to be difficult to build traditional breakers good for up to 1500 amps which react fast enough.