Councillors from Cheshire West and Chester Council have voted in favour of a safety review of electric vehicles (EVs) in multi-storey and enclosed car parks across the region
Put forward by Councillor Lynn Gibbon, and seconded by Councillor Razia Daniels, the motion acknowledged the recent rise in the use of EVs on public roads, reflecting the “ongoing transition to greener and more sustainable transport”, and the duty of care of the council to “manage risks that come alongside new technology”.
“Recent media reports suggested that EV Lithium battery fires and concerns over their weight had caused concern, particularly in enclosed environments such as multi-storey car parks,” the minutes from the October 2025 council meeting read.
“Whilst members did acknowledge that Lithium batteries were more difficult to extinguish, fires were far more likely to be caused by petrol or diesel, with 25 fires per 100,000 EV cars, whilst there were 1,530 fires per 100,000 combustible engines.
“Members noted that there was no current evidence to support the idea that the weight of EV cars had caused the collapse of bridges or multi-storey car parks. However, it was questioned whether a significant number of EV cars spread over the car park could raise the risk of structural weakness in the future, especially given the rise in popularity and usage of EV vehicles, which was continuing to grow. Continued increased weight on bridges, which may not have been accounted for when constructing Highways in the past, should also be reviewed to ensure responsible future infrastructure needs.”
The motion called for the council to take on a “responsible and evidence-led approach” to ensure the safety of users in both council-owned and privately operated car parks within Cheshire West and Cheshire. The review will assess the health and safety risks associated with EV fires and the concerns of vehicle weight in multi-storey car parks. The findings will also be used to inform any future policy decisions and to “balance public safety with environmental progress”.
The council has resolved to establish a Task and Finish Group to review existing policy regarding EVs in multi-storey and enclosed car parks and work alongside Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to understand the specific fire safety risks associated with EVs and their mitigation measures. It will also work with engineers to understand the impact of EV and SUV weight on car park capacity and whether restrictions might be required.
The group will report back to the full council within six months, setting out their findings, risk assessment, and any recommendations for policy or operational changes.
As reported by the Northwich Guardian, Councillor Gibbon said after the meeting: “This motion isn’t about restricting electric vehicles—it’s about ensuring our car parks are safe and fit for the future. As vehicle technology evolves, so must our infrastructure and safety policies.
“This review will help us plan sensibly and protect both residents and assets.”
Councillor Davies added: “It’s important we take an evidence-led, collaborative approach to emerging safety issues.
“Working closely with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and council officers will give us the knowledge to make informed, practical decisions.”
The full council meeting minutes can be viewed here.