We have come across several reports and videos where electric vehicle owners have raised concerns about the charging situation at their homes. We have heard this more often from owners living in high-rise apartments. Things are slowly falling into place, and even authorities have started allowing customers to install EV chargers in the parking lots allotted to them. However, a new proposal in the National Building Code (NBC) is turning out to be the villain in the EV story. The new proposal includes restrictions on parking and charging EVs and hybrid vehicles in the basement levels of apartments.

As per the NBC’s new proposal, EV charging should only be allowed at the ground level or, if permitted, at the first basement level. The proposal also mentions that if EV charging is allowed in the first basement, it should be done in a compartmentalised space not exceeding 200 sq. m.

The new proposals do not look great for EV owners. Many people who own EVs in cities have their parking spaces in basement levels, and such a move could only curtail EV adoption in these areas.

The government, as we know, is trying to push electric vehicles from one end. They are encouraging more people to switch to EVs and hybrids, but a proposal or amendment to the NBC can actually change everything – especially at a time when the EV market is growing rapidly. If customers do not get the support needed to make the switch from ICE to EV, this momentum could be lost.

While it may not be good news for EV owners, there is a reason why the NBC wants to make such amendments. One of the main reasons is safety. We have come across several cases where electric vehicles have caught fire. If an EV catches fire while charging in the basement, it would make things difficult for the occupants of the building.

Even the fire and rescue teams might not be able to locate the vehicle in time. The thick black smoke from EV fires is another major concern. It could get trapped in the basement, increasing the chances of suffocation for residents.

Last year, a similar incident was reported from South Korea, where an electric vehicle from Mercedes-Benz caught fire, damaging around 140 vehicles and temporarily displacing around 200 families, as the entire apartment complex was affected. Almost 23 residents were admitted to hospitals for smoke inhalation.

If the chargers are located on the ground floor, the smoke can easily disperse into the atmosphere, and it would also help authorities extinguish the fire more quickly. This is one of the reasons why many older apartment complexes do not allow owners to install chargers in basement parking areas.

Another issue is electricity consumption. If more people start using EVs in an apartment complex, they could face power cuts due to exceeding the sanctioned load.

If the proposal gets approved and becomes a rule, charging will become a challenge for many owners. While these amendments may not sound great for EV owners, it should be noted that these are rules made by experts to ensure that EV charging and usage remain safe for everyone.