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January 30, 2026, 2:34 PM EST. PHMSA opened a 90-day public comment period to study safety of using heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs) for transporting hazardous materials. The Federal Register notice asks industry players to weigh risks to packaging integrity, transport safety, emergency response and compliance, noting battery safety concerns such as reignition after fires and during towing or storage. The agency cites potential differences in heat containment, weight distribution, and total powertrain weight between EVs and internal combustion engine trucks. It also asks about hazards across material classes (flammables, corrosives, explosives) and vulnerabilities in electronics, cooling systems, and loading operations. The DOT held a 2024 virtual battery safety meeting; PHMSA seeks input on regulatory implications and operational challenges of hazmat transport by EVs.