Electro-mobility and indoor car parks

Question for written answer  E-002043/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Sylvia Limmer (ID)

The towns of Kulmbach and Leonberg prohibit the use of the city-owned underground car parks by electric cars in general. In Kulmbach, the fire brigade drew the attention of those responsible to the problem following a fire in September 2020. According to this, parking electric cars in underground car parks is irresponsible. Although electric cars do not catch fire more frequently than conventional vehicles, they behave differently in the event of fire. A great deal of water is needed to extinguish the fire, and the cells in the battery packs can reignite hours or days later. The fire brigade therefore uses special water containers in which electric cars are immersed. However, these do not fit into all underground or multi-storey car parks. In addition, the chemical fire of a battery releases toxic gases and generates such extreme heat that reinforced concrete can burst and iron can melt, leading to the risk of the structure collapsing. In the opinion of the German Fire Prevention Association (Vereinigung zur Förderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes – VFDB), such fires do indeed bear ‘significant potential risks’.

In addition, after being used to extinguish electric car fires, the water is heavily contaminated and must be dealt with accordingly.

• 1.Is the Commission in favour of banning electric cars in underground car parks and thus also in the underground car parks of the EU institutions?
• 2.Is the Commission adopting fire safety guidelines in relation to electric vehicle fires?
• 3.What is the Commission proposing to address such risks posed by e-mobility?