Bill > HB06627

This bill requires electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to develop and distribute comprehensive fire safety guides to local fire departments for each electric vehicle model they sell in the state. The guides must provide specific instructions on how to combat battery fires, which can be particularly challenging due to lithium-ion battery technology. These guides will help firefighters understand how to effectively fight EV battery fires, prevent chemical thermal runaway (a dangerous escalating heat condition in batteries), and reduce the risk of fire reignition. Additionally, the guides must include critical information about safely storing electric vehicles with damaged lithium-ion batteries, which can pose significant safety risks. The primary goal of the legislation is to enhance firefighter safety by providing them with specialized, manufacturer-specific knowledge about handling potentially hazardous electric vehicle fire scenarios, recognizing the unique challenges presented by EV battery technology compared to traditional vehicle fires.