Guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and charging infrastructure in covered parking spaces

The rapid rise of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and recharging infrastructure in Europe, driven by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), underscores the need for robust fire safety measures in covered parking areas. This report, developed by the Sustainable Transport Forum (STF) under the European Commission, provides evidence-based guidelines to mitigate fire risks associated with BEVs and recharging infrastructure in such spaces. Despite data indicating BEVs pose a lower fire risk than internal combustion engine vehicles, their unique challenges-such as thermal runaway and jet fires-require tailored strategies. The guidance focuses on prevention, detection, evacuation, propagation control, and firefighting, offering recommendations for public authorities, parking operators, and other stakeholders to ensure safety while supporting the EU's decarbonization goals.