H.R. 6948 — 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.

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation, not later than two years after enactment, to promulgate a final motor vehicle safety standard requiring new electric and hybrid passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. to include battery safety features mitigating risks of fire, explosion, thermal runaway, passenger compartment breach, power loss, and related hazards. The standard requires, at a minimum, (1) first responder access technology for battery fire extinguishment, (2) thermal runaway suppression for damaged cells, (3) safeguards delaying passenger compartment breach to allow escape or rescue, and (4) uniform, standardized battery and access locations; it further requires firefighter guidance on battery fire response not later than one year after standard promulgation. This section also directs the Secretary, not later than two years after enactment, to promulgate a final standard requiring such vehicles to have clearly marked interior and exterior mechanical door releases on each door and hatch for safe exit if the electric system fails. The standards apply to vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. on or after two years following promulgation of the battery standard, with violations subject to civil penalties.

This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the health effects of electric and hybrid vehicle battery fires on first responders and, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress and publish on the Department of Health and Human Services website a report containing (1) the study's findings, (2) input from at least one representative each of an accredited standards development organization with fire protection expertise, a professional firefighters organization, a volunteer firefighters organization, and a fire chiefs organization, and (3) recommendations for legislative action to protect first responders from such health effects and to improve electric and hybrid vehicle battery safety.