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.

New EV and hybrid safety rules

If enacted, this bill would require the Transportation Secretary to write a new safety rule for batteries in electric and hybrid passenger vehicles within 2 years after enactment. The rule would require firefighter-access technology to allow timely extinguishment, systems to suppress thermal runaway, and protections to delay a battery fire from breaching the passenger compartment. The rule would also require clearly marked mechanical interior and exterior door releases on every door and hatch, and standard locations for batteries and access points. New vehicle requirements would apply to cars made, sold, or introduced in interstate commerce starting two years after the rule is set, and violations of the new rule would be subject to the same federal civil fines that apply to other vehicle safety rules.