Sponsors (2)
The bill improves EV fire response and safety coordination through a multi-stakeholder working group and public reporting, but it raises privacy and representation concerns, may divert existing DOT resources, and is limited by a 10-year sunset.
Firefighters and EMS personnel receive coordinated, best-practice guidance for responding to electric vehicle (EV) fires, improving responder safety and on-scene effectiveness.
Vehicle manufacturers, battery and charging industry participants, and related stakeholders gain a formal forum to share technical knowledge and align safety practices across the supply chain.
Road users, bystanders, and local authorities benefit from better-recorded incident data (location/time/scene conditions) that can improve prevention, planning, and future response effectiveness.
Individuals and local agencies face increased privacy and liability risk if detailed incident data (location/time/scene conditions) contains identifiable information or is published.
Transportation workers and local governments may lose long-term continuity in coordinated EV fire guidance because the working group sunsets after 10 years, just as EV adoption continues to grow.
Local responders and smaller jurisdictions may be underrepresented because membership is nomination-based, skewing guidance toward organizations that are more likely to be nominated.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs DOT to form a multi-stakeholder working group to study EV fires on public roads and develop best practices within 90 days of enactment.
Official title: To require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group to review and establish guidance and best practices for responding to electric vehicle fires, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 15, 2026 by Jay Obernolte · Last progress April 15, 2026
Creates a Department of Transportation working group to study and issue best practices for responding to electric vehicle (EV) fires on public roads and adjacent areas. The Secretary of Transportation must establish the multi-stakeholder group within 90 days and appoint at least 22 members from specified emergency response, towing, automotive industry, battery/equipment manufacturers, and research/standards organizations.