Carrefour Belgium bans electric vehicles from rooftop parking

Carrefour Belgium has banned electric vehicles (EVs) from the rooftop parking areas of 18 of its supermarket locations. The decision is based on two primary concerns: structural integrity and fire safety.

According to Damien Bytebier, spokesperson for Carrefour Belgium, many of the building structures, some dating back to the 1980s, may not be equipped to handle the additional weight imposed by modern EVs. While electric vehicles typically weigh between 1,500 and 1,800 kg—often 250 to 500 kg more than internal combustion engine counterparts—the ban is based on the type of fuel rather than specific vehicle weight.

Fire safety is also a critical factor. The company noted that managing an emergency, such as a battery fire, is significantly more difficult when the vehicle is located on a rooftop. This restriction mirrors previous bans placed on LPG vehicles due to gas leak risks. Critics have pointed out a contradiction in the policy, noting that while some small EVs like the Dacia Spring are relatively light, large thermal SUVs can exceed two tons and are still permitted to use the rooftop parking.