Construction crews can now carry more battery-powered tools in their trucks

The US Department of Transportation wants to loosen rules about how many lithium batteries companies can carry in their work vehicles. This means construction, landscaping, and other trade companies can transport more battery-powered equipment without special hazardous material permits.

Current rules treat large lithium batteries like highly dangerous cargo, even when they are just powering a chainsaw or a leaf blower. This forces small businesses to either limit their equipment or go through complex, expensive permitting processes. The proposed change recognizes that these batteries, when properly packaged, are not a major risk in a work truck.