Requires the Secretary of Transportation to publish first responder guidelines for fighting EV and hybrid battery fires within 1 year of issuing the final rule.
Require the Transportation Department to issue first responder guidelines for fighting EV and hybrid battery fires.
Occurrences
Not later than 1 year after the promulgation of the final motor vehicle standard described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish guidance on responding to fire incidents involving batteries used in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles to be used as the basis for training firefighters.
Not later than 1 year after the promulgation of the final motor vehicle standard described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish guidance on responding to fire incidents involving batteries used in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles to be used as the basis for training firefighters.
...disseminating best practices for firefighters to tackle these runaway blazes...
Mr. Latimer introduced H.R. 6948, requiring a final motor vehicle standard for electric and hybrid vehicle battery fire risks, first responder guidance, mechanical door releases, and an HHS study on health effects for first responders.
Evidence
unverified · Source version 980 · locator unknown
Sponsor: Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16] (Introduced 01/06/2026). Latest Action: House - 01/06/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This bill has the status Introduced.
unverified · Source version 18909 · locator unknown
The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a final standard that includes 'first responder access technology' and to publish guidance on responding to fire incidents involving batteries used in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles to be used as the basis for training firefighters.
unverified · Source version 18902 · locator unknown
The press release says the bill 'requires the Secretary of Transportation to publish first responder guidelines for fighting EV and hybrid battery fires within 1 year of issuing the final rule.'
unverified · Source version 980 · locator unknown
Sponsor: Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16] (Introduced 01/06/2026) Committees: House - Energy and Commerce Latest Action: House - 01/06/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This bill has the status Introduced
verified · Source version 57525 · locator 1862
NHTSA is also establishing a new regulation, part 561, "Documentation for Electric-powered Vehicles," that requires manufacturers to compile risk mitigation documentation and to submit standardized emergency response information to assist first and second responders handling electric vehicles.
Assessments
Latimer took concrete action by introducing H.R. 6948 in January 2026, and the bill text directly includes a requirement for the Transportation Department to publish first-responder guidance for EV and hybrid battery fires. But the measure was only introduced and referred to committee, with no evidence it passed, was enacted, or produced the required DOT guidelines. In federal office-context terms, this shows serious legislative effort but not completed delivery, and because he remains in office the promise is best treated as still pending rather than failed outright.
Latimer introduced H.R. 6948 in the 119th Congress, and the bill text directly includes the promised requirement for the Transportation Department to publish first responder guidance for EV and hybrid battery fires. However, the evidence shows the bill was only introduced and referred to committee, with no passage, enactment, final DOT rule, or published guidelines. This is a serious legislative attempt but not a delivered policy outcome.