NHTSA Tidies Up Side-Impact and EV Rules
Published Date: 6/3/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated safety rules that clean up old, outdated side-impact protection standards and fix related rules for electric and hydrogen vehicles. These changes make the rules clearer without adding new costs or big changes for manufacturers. If anyone wants to challenge the updates, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Updated Side-Impact Rules Take Effect
Starting July 6, 2026, vehicle manufacturers must follow the revised FMVSS No. 214 side-impact standard that removes obsolete requirements and revises definitions (for example, the definition of “raised roof”). The agency states these edits clarify the rules without adding new costs or major changes for manufacturers.
No Significant Impact on Small Entities
NHTSA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this final rule removing obsolete regulatory text will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, so a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required.
EV and Hydrogen Test References Updated
The rule amends FMVSS No. 305a (electric-powered vehicles) and FMVSS No. 307 (hydrogen vehicles) to remove references to FMVSS No. 214 sections that were deleted and to state testing positions are those required by S7.2.2 of FMVSS No. 214. FMVSS No. 305a also notes mandatory applicability begins on September 1, 2027.
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Department and Agencies
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