June 21, 2024 2:50 a.m.

On Thursday, Senator Ron Wyden introduced legislation that would require federal agencies to provide electric vehicle safety information, testing standards, and training materials for local first responders across the nation.

A release said electric vehicles pose a unique challenge to first responders used to dealing with traditional vehicles. Batteries are often damaged in accidents, exposing the passengers and emergency personnel to hazardous chemicals, electric shocks and battery fires. These fires are not only unusually hot, but they also can spontaneously reignite hours after they are extinguished.

Wyden said, “EV’s bring new opportunities for green transit and lowering emissions, but they also present new dangers for first responders to tackle”. Wyden said, “As more Americans transition to EVs, its essential that we give firefighters and other emergency personnel the tools they need to keep people out of harm’s way”.

The release said the Safer EV’s Act would require three federal agencies – the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency – to coordinate efforts on EV safety and testing standards while providing first responders with proper training.

The Safer EV’s Act would:

*Authorize an additional $10 million annually for State Fire Training Grants to support widespread EV-specific training delivery.

*Require the coordinating agencies to revisit the technical report and update it every three years to keep up with technological and research advancements

*Require the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to consider emergency response guides provided by the vehicle manufacturer when assessing a vehicle’s New Car Assessment Program score.

*Require the publication and distribution of EV emergency response guides to all first and second responders, such as tow truck operators and salvage yard owners.

The full text of the bill is linked: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/safer_evs_actpdf.pdf