# 2026-23024: Federal Railroad Officials Warn E-Scooter Batteries Could Turn Trains Toxic 2026-23024, Safety Advisory 2026-02: Advanced Chemistry Battery Hazards in Passenger Railcar Operations, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Railroad Administration published 2026-11-12, effective 2026-11-12; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-12). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23024 - As of: 2026-11-12 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-23024 - Title: Safety Advisory 2026-02: Advanced Chemistry Battery Hazards in Passenger Railcar Operations - Type: Notice - Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Railroad Administration - Citation: 91 FR 72943 - Published: 2026-11-12 - Effective: 2026-11-12 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-11-12 ## In one line Federal Railroad Officials Warn E-Scooter Batteries Could Turn Trains Toxic ## Summary If you ride passenger trains with electric scooters, bikes, or hoverboards, listen up! The Federal Railroad Administration warns that the batteries in these devices can catch fire or release dangerous fumes quickly, putting everyone on board at risk. They’re recommending new safety rules, training, and emergency plans to keep passengers and crew safe—so rail companies need to act fast to avoid costly accidents. ## Abstract FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2026-02 to alert the passenger rail industry to the severe safety risks associated with advanced chemistry batteries, such as lithium-ion battery (LiB) power sources, carried aboard passenger railcars within electric micromobility vehicles (EMVs). Recent full-scale testing shows that thermal runaway in these battery systems poses rapid and potentially catastrophic thermal, toxicological, and visibility hazards inside passenger railcars. This Safety Advisory recommends specific operational, training, and emergency planning and response mitigations to protect passengers and crew members. ## Effects PRIA read - Railroads must update fire safety analyses: cost, medium. If a railroad allows electric micromobility vehicles (EMVs) with lithium‑ion batteries onboard, the railroad should update its written Fire Safety Analysis (FSA) under 49 CFR 238.103 to account for the higher onboard fire load and implement mitigations. The advisory gives examples such as installin… - Ban on seat and underseat EMV storage: cost, low. FRA recommends that passenger railroads prohibit storage of EMVs (e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards) at seat or underseat locations where they are close to interior materials or cannot be easily monitored. If implemented, you may be prevented from placing an EMV under seats or beside your seat durin… - Prohibition of LiB devices in end cars: cost, low. The FRA advises railroads to prohibit lithium‑ion battery (LiB) powered devices in the forward‑ or rear‑most passenger cars because a thermal runaway event there could block critical egress vestibules and end‑frame doors. If railroads adopt this, you may be barred from carrying LiB‑powered EMVs int… - No onboard charging of EMV batteries: cost, low. FRA recommends prohibiting the charging of EMV lithium‑ion batteries during passenger operations to eliminate a potential thermal runaway ignition source. This means you would not be allowed to charge your e-scooter, e-bike, or similar device while on the train if a railroad adopts this recommendat… - Emergency plans and crew training updates: benefit, medium. FRA recommends that railroads update passenger train emergency preparedness plans (PTEPPs) under 49 CFR part 239 and train crew to handle overheating or thermal runaway, including prioritizing passenger egress over fighting the battery fire. The advisory cites test results showing life‑threatening… - Advisory is guidance but FRA may act: cost, medium. FRA states this Safety Advisory is guidance under 49 CFR part 5 and is not binding, but it also says FRA may modify the advisory, issue additional advisories, or take enforcement or other corrective measures under its rail safety authority. Railroads should be aware the advisory does not by itself… ## Related documents - [2026-17904](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17904): National Environmental Policy Act Regulations, 2026-09-01 - [2025-12364](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-12364): Revision of National Environmental Policy Act Regulations, 2025-07-03 - [2026-22926](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22926): Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance, 2026-11-10 - [2026-22929](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22929): Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance, 2026-11-10 - [2026-22336](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22336): Notice of Petition for Waiver of Compliance, 2026-11-02 - [2026-22068](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22068): Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request, 2026-10-29 ## Sources - [2026-23024 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/12/2026-23024/safety-advisory-2026-02-advanced-chemistry-battery-hazards-in-passenger-railcar-operations) - [2026-23024 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-12/pdf/2026-23024.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-23023, New Postal Products](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23023) - [Next: 2026-23025, Agency Information Collection Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisit…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23025) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-23024 (as of 2026-11-12).