WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AB 855

Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Lackey

Requires development of a standardized emergency response action plan for battery fires involving commercial electric vehicles to guide first responders and agencies.

In committee: Held under submission.
#vehicles #commercialelectricvehiclesafety
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 855

AB 855 (Lackey) — Vehicles: commercial electric vehicle safety

Status: In committee — Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)
Introduced: February 19, 2025

Purpose / Intent

AB 855 requires the state to develop a standardized emergency response action plan specific to battery fires involving commercial electric motor vehicles (e.g., electric trucks). The goal is to provide best practices for first responders and state agencies to protect people, infrastructure, and the environment while efficiently managing resources during and after such incidents.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 34521 to the Vehicle Code.
  • Deadline: On or before January 1, 2027, the Office of Emergency Services (OES) must develop and post the action plan on its website.
  • Minimum content required in the action plan (at least):
    1. Procedures for assessing high‑voltage hazards and fire risk after collisions.
    2. Measures to ensure safety of commercial drivers, first responders, motorists, pedestrians, and surrounding communities.
    3. Guidance for evaluating airborne toxic emissions and establishing a reasonable safety buffer.
    4. Best practices for reducing wildfire risk from battery incidents.
    5. Steps to prevent structural damage to bridges and overpasses.
    6. Approaches to achieve effective results using the least resources possible (e.g., water, air support).
    7. Strategies to minimize roadway closure duration.
    8. Methods to mitigate risk of battery reignition.
  • Consultation requirement: In developing the plan, OES must consult relevant stakeholders, explicitly including the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), electric truck manufacturers, and labor organizations. OES may also consult other state or federal agencies.

Who is affected

  • State emergency management agencies (OES), CHP, State Fire Marshal, Caltrans.
  • First responders (fire, EMS, law enforcement).
  • Electric truck manufacturers, fleet operators, commercial drivers, and labor organizations.
  • Motorists and communities near incident sites; infrastructure owners/operators (bridges, roadways).

Fiscal / procedural notes

  • Digest indicates no appropriation requested; referred to fiscal committee review.
  • Legislative history highlights re-referrals among Assembly committees; as of 2025-05-23 the bill is held under submission in committee.

Potential impact

If adopted, AB 855 would provide standardized, publicly available guidance to improve safety and coordination during electric commercial vehicle battery incidents, aim to reduce secondary harms (wildfires, toxic exposure, structural damage), and promote efficient use of emergency resources.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.