Requires Secretary of Transportation to issue final rules within 2 years requiring new EVs and hybrids to incorporate a clearly marked interior and exterior mechanical release on every door and hatch to allow safe exit in case of electrical system failure.
Require new EVs and hybrids to have clearly marked interior and exterior mechanical door and hatch releases for emergency exit during electrical failure.
Occurrences
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
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate a final motor vehicle safety standard that requires any new electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle manufactured for sale, sold, offered for sale, or introduced or delivered for introduction in interstate commerce in the United States to have clearly marked interior and exterior mechanical door releases on each door and hatch that allows safe exit of such vehicle in case of failure of the electric system of such vehicle.
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate a final motor vehicle safety standard that requires any new electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle ... to have clearly marked interior and exterior mechanical door releases on each door and hatch that allows safe exit of such vehicle in case of failure of the electric system of such vehicle.
...mandates for mechanical door releases...
Evidence
The press release says Latimer and Fitzpatrick introduced the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Safety Act of 2026 and that it would "require[] Secretary of Transportation to issue final rules within 2 years requiring new EVs and hybrids to incorporate a clearly marked interior and exterior mechanical release on every door and hatch to allow safe exit in case of electrical system failure."
Congress.gov identifies H.R. 6947 as the SAFE Exit Act of 2026, sponsored by Rep. Robin L. Kelly, with the latest action on 2026-02-10: "Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote." The tracker still shows the bill's status as "Introduced."
The bill title and introduced text state: "To amend title 49, United States Code, to require each new motor vehicle to be equipped with a manual door release allowing timely exit regardless of failure of any electrical system, and for other purposes." The All Actions page shows introduction on 01/06/2026 and subcommittee consideration/markup and forwarding on 02/10/2026.
The introduced bill text states that new motor vehicles would need to be equipped with a manual door release allowing timely exit regardless of failure of any electrical system.
The Congressional Record notes H.R. 6947, the "Securing Accessible Functional Emergency (SAFE) Exit Act of 2026," was considered in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee and forwarded to the full committee without amendment.
Assessments
The evidence shows Latimer materially advanced the promise by introducing bipartisan legislation in 2026 to require clearly marked mechanical interior and exterior door and hatch releases for new EVs and hybrids, and the measure received subcommittee consideration and was forwarded to the full committee. However, there is no evidence here of enactment into law, final congressional passage, or issuance of Transportation Department rules implementing the requirement. Because the promise aligns closely with an active bill and has seen meaningful progress but the promised policy outcome has not yet been delivered, the best judgment is unresolved rather than delivered or partial.