DOT tightens lithium battery shipping rules to prevent fires in transit
H.R. 7928 — Thermal Runaway Reduction Act of 2026 · Filed by Dina Titus (D-NV) · Introduced Mar 12, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue new safety regulations for transporting lithium-ion batteries, requiring them to be shipped at no more than 30% charge unless specially approved, and to work with the UN to improve impact tests for batteries in transport. It also creates two grant programs—one for research into thermal runaway suppression technologies ($10M over 5 years) and another to equip fire departments with tools to handle lithium battery fires—and requires DOT to review and update these rules every five years.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a regulatory mandate to improve lithium-ion battery transport safety through DOT rulemaking, coupled with federal grant programs to fund research and equip emergency responders. This is straightforward public-safety legislation with no hidden private benefit.
What the text implies
- The 30% state-of-charge requirement may increase shipping costs and logistics complexity for battery manufacturers and shippers, potentially raising consumer prices for battery-dependent products (EVs, electronics).
- The grant program prioritizes fire suppression technologies without PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which may accelerate market shift away from legacy suppression agents and toward newer alternatives, benefiting companies developing PFAS-free technologies.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
fire suppression technology companies (PFAS-free alternatives); fire departments (equipment grants); research institutions and testing facilities (grant recipients)