Posted on 12/18/2022 2:30:56 PM PST by Libloather
Multi-storey and underground car parks could collapse under the weight of electric vehicles, engineers have warned.
Electric cars, which are roughly twice as heavy as standard models, could cause ‘catastrophic’ damage, according to the British Parking Association (BPA), which wants local authorities to conduct urgent structural surveys.
Most of the nation’s 6,000 multi-storey and underground facilities were built according to guidance based on the weight of popular cars of 1976, including the Mk 3 Ford Cortina.
But the electric cars currently on the UK market are far bulkier. For instance, the best-selling Tesla Model 3 weighs 2.2 tons fully loaded, making it more than 50 per cent heavier than a 1.4-tonne Cortina.
Structural engineer Chris Whapples, a member of the BPA which represents car-park owners, said: ‘If a vehicle is heavier than the car park was originally designed for, the effects could be catastrophic. We’ve not had an incident yet, but I suspect it is only a matter of time.
‘We have recommended that a loading check is performed on all older car parks. And the industry is responding.’
Electric vehicles are heavier predominantly because of the batteries used to power them, and the reinforced framework and suspension needed to accommodate them.
‘All the internal components make these batteries very, very heavy,’ said Mr Whapples. ‘Nowadays, the battery forms the underfloor of most EVs. It’s contained over virtually the entire footprint of the vehicle, from axle to axle.’
Electric cars have soared in popularity in recent years. Today there are an estimated 620,000 on the road in the UK, and 440,000 plug-in hybrids which use both petrol and electric.
One in ten new cars sold in 2021 was electric, while a further seven per cent were hybrid.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Fire hazards too. Ever see an EV fire being extinguished? Requires minimum 40,000 gallons of H20.
Fortunately they are underground. Turn off the drain pump and fill it up.
Sucks to follow the rantings of a retarded Swedish teenager.
Couple the left’s incompetence with their evilness, and in five years, us regular peons will not be allowed to travel anywhere unless it is by foot or bicycle. Travel, except in your local village, will be reserved for the elite that rule over us. If you want access to a wider variety of jobs, goods or services, you will have to move to an urban center. Other than that, plan to work in your garden. A government official will stop by quarterly so you can provide the king his portion of what you produce.
Florida Condo Parking could have a real problem with this reality. Condo parking is often the first 6 or 7 floors. When that goes the whole building goes...
Metaphorically, this is LOL.
Your-rope has always needed more pickups and Suburbans in the fleet.
CFW:Couple the left’s incompetence with their evilness, and in five years, us regular peons will not be allowed to travel anywhere unless it is by foot or bicycle. Travel, except in your local village, will be reserved for the elite that rule over us
Total nonsense. Authoritarian police state China is doing everything it can to get the Chinese people to buy cars. Car ownership is rising to record levels in every single country in the world except NK. Saudi Arabia is now allowing women to drive and car sales have skyrocketed to record levels since women are now allowed to do so.
Park ‘em on the ground floor, reduce density with larger spaces. Charge (no pun) accordingly.
also harder on our roads and bridges
Guam better not allow too many on the same side of the island.
The extra weight is one of the big reasons EV’s can never be energy positive. The laws of physics won’t allow it. The more mass- then the more energy it takes for initial movement and to push it uphill. Only in the most unrealistic perfect environment could most of the the energy all be recaptured by regen.
I think the ‘message’ of driving an EV supersedes structural integrity concerns as to where it may choose to park.
Yet another poorly thought out aspect of the forced EV conversion?
Say it’s not so!
How could this be!?
Do I really need the < /s>?
> engineers have warned <
The solution is obvious. Remove these engineers from their jobs and silence them. Cancel these engineers for daring to speak the truth.
Onward the Green Revolution!
Heavier vehicles are also harder on the roads. Keep them on ICE.
Serious lack of planning.
But it feels good!!!
Can we now go back to fuel efficient 500hp
ICE?
Speed limit 100mph
Stay out of the left lane!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.