US puts electric trucks back under hazmat scrutiny
The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has launched a Request for Information (RFI) to assess the safety of using heavy-duty electric trucks for hazardous materials transport. The agency, part of the US Department of Transportation, is asking stakeholders to compare electric and diesel vehicles across a range of technical criteria.
While the RFI is framed as an information-gathering exercise, it reopens technical questions that have been addressed in existing standards, pilot projects and emergency training programmes as electric trucks move into early deployment. “By identifying new technical hazards, the agency could provide a safety-based justification for a permanent retreat from electric heavy-duty fleets in the hazmat sector,” Freight Waves commented on the issue.
PHMSA is seeking data on battery thermal runaway, including how the heat and duration of battery fires compare with diesel-related incidents. Vehicle mass is another focus, with the agency questioning whether the additional weight of electric drivetrains affects stability, braking or cargo safety.
The inquiry also covers electromagnetic interference, asking whether high-voltage systems could affect sensitive hazardous goods, as well as charging operations. PHMSA is requesting feedback on the risks associated with charging hazmat-laden trucks at public stations and the proximity of high-power connectors to cargo areas. Emergency response procedures are also under review, particularly for incidents involving electric trucks in confined environments such as tunnels or depots.
PHMSA has not proposed new rules but says the findings could shape future regulatory decisions.
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