EVs are heavier than their fossil fuelled counterparts…: Owing to the hefty weight of electric and hybrid car batteries, electric vehicles (EVs) are heavier than their traditional counterparts, according to a report by the Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE). As their popularity has grown — with over 10 mn EVs being sold in 2022 — so too has the weight of the average vehicle, rising from 1.5 to 2 tonnes over the last 50 years.

…which could be a burden on parking garages: This extra load — which is also due to increasing average car size — could potentially lead to the collapse of some multilevel car parks. ISE fellow Chris Wapples told CNBC on Tuesday that this risk is “something we have to consider,” although he added we shouldn’t be alarmist about it just yet.

So we need new guidelines: The ISE has recommended new guidelines to mitigate the risk. Thorough planning is key, specifically with regards to structural assessments. The ISE recommended adjusting parking bay sizes and deck loadings, screening vehicles, and keeping heavyweights on the ground floor.

Fire safety is another concern: While EV fires are relatively rare, extinguishing them can be extremely difficult, “particularly if the battery is on fire, because you’ve got so much energy that’s locked in,” Whapples told CNBC. To this end, sprinkler systems could be needed to limit the spread of fires, especially in underground facilities, the guidelines said.