UK Car Parks at Risk as Electric Vehicles Get Heavier
Experts warn the UK’s rise in electric vehicle (EV) use could spell trouble for ageing car park floors. Many older structures face the danger of buckling under the extra weight of modern EVs, sparking fresh fears about their safety.
Weighty Problem: EVs Outweigh Classic Cars
New EVs pack serious heft thanks to heavy batteries – typically around 500kg. For comparison, the Tesla Model 3 weighs in at 1,672kg, more than double the 768kg Ford Cortina Mark 1 from the 1960s, when many car parks were built.
- Audi E-tron: 2,351kg
- Vauxhall Viva: 770kg
- Nissan Leaf: 1,580kg
This weight spike is pushing car parks to their limits as EV adoption surges. The government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate means petrol and diesel sales will be phased out by 2030, with EVs expected to cover 80% of all miles by 2035.
Experts Urge Urgent Action on Car Park Safety
Chris Whapples, a structural engineer behind new safety guidelines, told The Telegraph: “I don’t want to alarm anyone, but some early car parks in poor condition could collapse.”
“Operators must understand EV weights and assess their parking lots for strength. Weight limits may become necessary.”
Whapples and Russell Simmons, chair of the British Parking Association’s structures group, are developing guidance to boost concrete floor load limits from 2.5 to 3 kilonewtons per square metre. This move aims to future-proof car parks for heavier EVs.
Industry Giants Respond, But Concerns Linger
Steve Holmes from building supplier Sika warns: “Many car parks have hidden defects worsened by years of neglect. As vehicles get heavier, maintenance is crucial.”
NCP, one of the UK’s biggest parking operators, says it’s ahead of the curve. It’s adapting newer sites by installing EV chargers mainly on ground floors and widening bays to spread the weight. NCP claims the biggest bottleneck is charging infrastructure, not the capacity to house EVs.
Meanwhile, trade bodies advise all car park operators to conduct load-bearing checks. Some tests reveal that certain car parks just can’t handle the weight of today’s EVs.
“We already have height restrictions. Why not weight limits?” muses Whapples, hinting that tough new rules could be on the horizon if safety risks escalate.
