Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
cleantechnica.com
Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
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Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#2I'm not saying I agree with the condo association but I am confused by the counterpoint the article author tries to make. Their response is regarding the odds of an EV catching fire vs the odds of a ICE catching fire. They even state that if the odds of an ICE catching fire is equal or greater than an EV than ICE's should also be banned. But the associations argument against EVs in the garage isn't based mainly around the odds of them catching fire vs an ICE. The garage has a sprinkler system and is designed to allow fire fighters to bring enough water to bare to put out an ICE fire. EV fires can't be put out with water so the sprinkler system is of no use and the garage doesn't provide the access needed to allow fire fighters to deliver the required volume of chemical fire retardants to extinguish an EV fire.
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#3I'm not saying I agree with the condo association but I am confused by the counterpoint the article author tries to make. Their response is regarding the odds of an EV catching fire vs the odds of a ICE catching fire. They even state that if the odds of an ICE catching fire is equal or greater than an EV than ICE's should also be banned. But the associations argument against EVs in the garage isn't based mainly aroun…
One (redundant and costly) solution might be for building code to require two side-by-side sprinkler systems for garages, one that sprays water and another that sprays chemical fire retardants suitable to fighting battery fires and the like.
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#4I'm not saying I agree with the condo association but I am confused by the counterpoint the article author tries to make. Their response is regarding the odds of an EV catching fire vs the odds of a ICE catching fire. They even state that if the odds of an ICE catching fire is equal or greater than an EV than ICE's should also be banned. But the associations argument against EVs in the garage isn't based mainly aroun…
The article is an example of twisting stats and data to make a false or misleading point. The author (who owns Tesla stock, according to the bio) is claiming that ICE cars are more likely to catch on fire. Perhaps, but irrelevant. The condo is not concerned with what happens out on the road. But it is very concerned about what happens while parked in the garage, and EVs are more likely to combust in the garage than ICE cars (at least according to some sources), which puts the building at risk.
I wouldn't be surprised if the condo board is also twisting stats to an extent, however the fact that Chevy, Hyundai and Ford have all had battery-related recalls prompted by fire risk gives their stance a bit of credence.
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#5I'm not saying I agree with the condo association but I am confused by the counterpoint the article author tries to make. Their response is regarding the odds of an EV catching fire vs the odds of a ICE catching fire. They even state that if the odds of an ICE catching fire is equal or greater than an EV than ICE's should also be banned. But the associations argument against EVs in the garage isn't based mainly aroun…
One (redundant and costly) solution might be for building code to require two side-by-side sprinkler systems for garages, one that sprays water and another that sprays chemical fire retardants suitable to fighting battery fires and the like.
...and a simple alternative to an expensive fix is to simply ban the cars. I would expect that if fire codes require retrofixes, similar bans will become widespread (and popular).
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#6Earlier quoted context omitted.
One (redundant and costly) solution might be for building code to require two side-by-side sprinkler systems for garages, one that sprays water and another that sprays chemical fire retardants suitable to fighting battery fires and the like.
...and a simple alternative to an expensive fix is to simply ban the cars. I would expect that if fire codes require retrofixes, similar bans will become widespread (and popular).
Certainly. I was imagining a more forward-looking requirement with grandfather clauses for existing systems. EV's will only become more widespread, fires will naturally be an occasional fact of life, and it seems untenable to ban keeping them in garages forevermore.
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#7Condos and apartment buildings are going to be a significant barrier to widespread ev adoption (esp in metro areas where these are more common). It's 2021, my condo hoa has no plans (even 'someday') to add ev chargers. They don't even have the electrical infrastructure in the garage to allow owners to install chargers at their own expense.
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#8Condos and apartment buildings are going to be a significant barrier to widespread ev adoption (esp in metro areas where these are more common). It's 2021, my condo hoa has no plans (even 'someday') to add ev chargers. They don't even have the electrical infrastructure in the garage to allow owners to install chargers at their own expense.
This is why regulations are sometimes the sole feasible option.
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#9I'm confused about the argument regarding the sprinkler system. I can understand water sprinkler being a dangerous combination with a battery fire. But for a gasoline powered car, isn't a fire likely to be a flammable liquid fire, for which water sprinklers are also a dangerous choice?
Re: Condo Association Bans Owners from Parking EVs in the Garage
#10I'm not saying I agree with the condo association but I am confused by the counterpoint the article author tries to make. Their response is regarding the odds of an EV catching fire vs the odds of a ICE catching fire. They even state that if the odds of an ICE catching fire is equal or greater than an EV than ICE's should also be banned. But the associations argument against EVs in the garage isn't based mainly aroun…
I think if more people had an idea of just how quickly an EV fire consumes the car and just how much hotter they burn than ICE car fires, they would be a lot less keen on having those vehicles parked anywhere near their property.
And yes, not only will the sprinkler systems not do anything, but Lithium is highly reactive with water.