British parking systems to be overhauled as burning electric cars must be dunked in water

A British consultancy group is recommending the government to re-think parking layouts and parking paces, as electric vehicles carry the risk of engulfing in flames, in which case the vehicle has to be submerged in water. 

According to a new report by a consultancy firm, there is a significant level of uncertainty regarding data related to the fire risks associated with electric cars, which is why it recommended to the British governmen to adopt changes regarding parking. As reported by the Telegraph, it remains unclear whether the fire hazard associated with electric car batteries increases over time. As a result, the report suggests several recommendations to update fire safety rules in response to the unique challenges presented by electric vehicles.

One proposal is to widen car park spaces to minimize the risk of fires spreading between parked vehicles. Additionally, it suggests the use of measures such as immersing burning electric cars in water to prevent uncontrolled fires. This is in response to concerns that existing fire safety regulations, which date back to the 1960s, may not adequately address the specific risks posed by battery-powered vehicles in indoor car parks.

The report highlights that electric vehicles introduce a variety of risks in indoor parking facilities, necessitating updates to safety regulations and guidelines. These measures include increasing the space between parked cars and ensuring a safe distance between indoor car parks to effectively manage the risk of fires spreading between vehicles and adjacent buildings.

The consultancy firm Arup has previously provided advice to the government on various infrastructure issues, including strategies to replace lost fuel duty revenues resulting from the rise of electric vehicles through the implementation of toll roads and increased income tax.