The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a Final Rule establishing FMVSS 305a, to replace FMVSS 305, “Electric-powered vehicles: Electrolyte spillage and electric shock protection.” Among other improvements, FMVSS 305a applies to light and heavy-duty vehicles and includes performance requirements for the propulsion battery. NHTSA is also establishing a new regulation, part 561, “Documentation for Electric-powered Vehicles,” that requires manufacturers to compile risk mitigation documentation and to submit standardized emergency response information to assist first and second responders handling electric vehicles.

This Final Rule is effective February 18, 2025 and can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-12-20/pdf/2024-28707.pdf.