EV Fire Response Working Group

Summary#

This bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to create the Electric Vehicle Fire Response Working Group within 90 days. The working group must have at least 22 members from towing companies, emergency responders, automakers and battery makers, research and standards groups, and certain federal agencies. The group will continuously review risks, existing best practices, and roadside incidents involving electric vehicle fires. It must periodically issue or update guidance and report incidents to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) maintained by the U.S. Fire Administration. The group must publish an annual report to Congress and the public. The Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply. The Secretary must provide administrative support using existing funds. The group ends 10 years after it is created.

What it means for you#

  • Emergency responders, towing companies, and vehicle makers will be invited to join or be represented on the group.
  • The group will collect and share information about roadside EV fires, including location, time, scene conditions, response actions, and outcomes.
  • The group will publish guidance and best practices that responders and service providers can review.
  • Annual public reports will summarize the groups work and topics under consideration.

Expenses#

Members serve without pay. The Secretary must provide administrative support and use existing funds to do so. No public cost estimate or separate funding authorization is provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

Sponsors Jay Obernolte and Suzan DelBene introduced the bill to require the Secretary of Transportation to set up a working group that reviews electric vehicle fire risks and establishes guidance and best practices for response and recovery.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.