As electric vehicles become a standard part of everyday transport, landlords and asset managers are increasingly being asked a fundamental question: is it safe to allow EV charging in underground and covered car parks?
Our latest white paper, EV Charging in Underground Car Parks – Should We Be Concerned?, provides a clear, evidence-led answer.
Drawing on UK and international fire statistics, insurer guidance, government policy and full-scale fire testing, the paper concludes that electric vehicles do not present a greater inherent fire risk than petrol or diesel vehicles, and that EV charging can be safely integrated into underground car parks when it is properly designed and managed.
Key findings at a glance
- EVs ignite far less frequently than internal combustion engine vehicles.
- When fires do occur, fire severity is broadly comparable to modern petrol or diesel vehicles.
- Most EV fires do not originate in the traction battery and are often unrelated to charging.
- Where suppression is applied early, battery involvement can often be prevented.
- Industry guidance and regulation across the UK and Europe supports EV charging in covered and underground car parks, subject to appropriate mitigation.
Why uncertainty still exists
Despite the growing evidence base, some owners remain cautious. Inconsistency in insurer messaging and high-profile but unrepresentative media reporting have contributed to a perception that EVs pose a unique or elevated fire risk. The paper addresses this directly, separating myth from fact and explaining how modern vehicles, charging equipment and fire-safety systems interact in practice.
What this means for landlords and asset managers
EV charging is no longer a niche amenity. It is embedded in UK Building Regulations, increasingly expected by occupiers, and integral to ESG and future-proofing strategies. The real question is no longer whether to allow EV charging in underground car parks, but how to do so safely, insurably and commercially.
The paper sets out:
- Practical guidance on charging design, siting and electrical compliance
- How EV charging fits within existing fire-risk assessments
- Commercial and operational considerations, from tariffs to service charge recovery
- A structured roadmap from feasibility through to long-term operation
A proportionate, evidence-based approach
The overall conclusion is clear: EVs are not an existential threat to underground car parks. With informed design, competent installation and sensible management, EV charging can be treated as a normal, controlled building service – and, in many cases, as a catalyst for raising overall fire-safety standards.
đŸ‘‰ Read the full white paper: EV Charging and Fire Safety in Underground Car Parks
