George Latimer (D-NY)
To amend title 49, United States Code, to require each new electric and hybrid vehicle to be equipped with technology that allows the timely extinguishment of an electric vehicle battery fire, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill seeks to amend title 49 of the United States Code to establish new safety standards for electric and hybrid vehicles. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to create standards to mitigate risks such as fire, explosion, and thermal runaway. These standards must include requirements for first responder access technology and safeguards to protect passengers. Additionally, the bill mandates mechanical door releases to ensure safe exit if electrical systems fail. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is also required to study the health impacts of battery fires on first responders.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Passenger Safety: The bill requires safeguards to delay battery fires from breaching the passenger compartment, which is intended to allow enough time for the escape or rescue of the vehicle operator and all passengers (Section 1(a)(3)(C)).
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First Responder Assistance: The mandate for first responder access technology and standardized battery/access locations is designed to allow for the timely extinguishment of battery fires (Section s1(a)(3)(A) and Section 1(a)(3)(D)).
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Emergency Egress: By requiring clearly marked mechanical door releases on each door and hatch, the bill aims to allow for a safe exit from the vehicle in the event of an electric system failure (Section 1(b)).
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Firefighter Training and Safety: The Secretary must publish guidance to serve as a basis for training firefighters on responding to battery fire incidents (Section 1(a)(4)).
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Health Protection for First Responders: The bill requires a study into the health effects of battery fires on first responders to help develop recommendations for legislative action to protect them (Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
- 1/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania