Carrefour Belgium electric vehicle parking restrictions

Carrefour Belgium has banned electric vehicles (EVs) from the rooftop parking areas of 18 supermarket locations. The retailer stated that while EVs are still permitted in ground-level parking, the rooftop restriction is a preventive measure.

The policy is driven by concerns regarding structural integrity and fire safety. Spokesperson Damien Bytebier noted that many buildings, some dating to the 1980s, may not be equipped to handle the additional weight of modern EVs, which are often 250 to 500 kg heavier than internal combustion engine vehicles. Furthermore, the company highlighted the difficulty of managing lithium-ion battery fires on rooftops, noting that thermal runaway requires massive amounts of water and that accessing these locations with heavy firefighting equipment can be challenging due to narrow or steep ramps.

The decision has faced criticism from the Belgian electric vehicle association and other observers. Critics pointed out a perceived contradiction in the policy, noting that large petrol-powered SUVs can be just as heavy as smaller electric models, yet they remain permitted to use the rooftop parking.