The Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety has published its report on electric and hybrid vehicle batteries.

"NSW has seen a marked uptake of electric vehicles and personal mobility devices in recent years. These electric vehicles are critical for decarbonising transport and supporting NSW's energy transition." said Committee Chair, Greg Warren MP.

“However, I acknowledge there have been concerns about EV battery safety and fire risks, which is why we initiated this inquiry, to ensure that those risks are better understood and comprehensively addressed." 

The Committee recommends that the NSW Government: 

• ·         enforce NSW’s new e-bike and other personal mobility device standards, and advocate for consistent standards Australia-wide 
• ·         improve the safety of first responders by providing safety training to all emergency services workers statewide, and ensure that their personal protective equipment is effective and fit-for-purpose 
• ·         develop standard emergency response guidelines for responding to EV battery fires and incidents 
• ·         review building codes to ensure that EV fire risks are addressed in new and existing buildings 
• ·         collect data on injuries and health impacts from EV battery fires, to support research and policy development 
• ·         run a public safety and education campaign on EV battery risks, including clear guidance on safe purchase, usage, storage and disposal of batteries. 

“Pleasingly, during the course of the inquiry, the Committee heard that the NSW Government was improving regulation of e-bikes and other personal mobility devices, and EVs converted from petrol and diesel vehicles, and that it was considering specialised EV training and qualifications for automotive workers. I commend the Government for its proactive work, and I am confident that the Committee's recommendations will effectively complement it to make electric and hybrid vehicle batteries safer.” said Mr Warren. 

The report can be found on the inquiry webpage.