5. The Chair of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Electric Vehicle Safety (EVS), UN GTR No. 20, on behalf of the co-sponsors (China, Japan, United States of America and the European Union) and of the IWG members, reported on the outcome of the recent IWG meeting in Japan in September 2024 (GRSP-76-40). He said that more than sixty experts from ten contracting parties and industry had participated. According to him, the primary topic on the agenda was thermal propagation, which continues to be the single most important issue in Phase 2 based on the field data. In their opening statements, the co-sponsors called for a streamlined approach towards a harmonized outcome that would enhance the safety of electric vehicles and engender consumers’ confidence. They also shared their highlights of ongoing regulatory and research efforts within their jurisdictions. The group proceeded to discuss a way forward towards successfully completing Phase 2. The resulting table documented the potential for consensus on approaches to address thermal events and thermal propagation, but all agreed that more work was needed. The IWG plans its next in-person meeting in California in February 2025, followed by a technical tour of Honda’s Electric Vehicle facility.