Thermal Runaway Reduction Act of 2026

The Thermal Runaway Reduction Act of 2026 aims to improve the safety of lithium-ion battery transportation by requiring the Department of Transportation to update regulations on how these batteries are shipped and handled. The bill mandates that batteries be transported at no more than 30 percent charge unless special approval is granted, and requires the development of new impact tests to prevent batteries from overheating during accidents. It also establishes a $10 million grant program to fund research on fire suppression technologies and provides additional funding for fire departments to purchase safety equipment and diagnostic tools for managing lithium-ion battery incidents.