Ruh Roh.

 

The crew of a cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles to Mexico, including 800 electric vehicles, abandoned ship after they could not control a fire aboard the vessel in waters off Alaska’s Aleutian island chain.

 

22 crew members safe after fire aboard cargo ship carrying vehicles off Alaska | AP News

 

 

 

A ChatGPT query learns that

> there are parking lots where electric vehicles (EVs) are restricted or prohibited, primarily due to fire safety concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries. These restrictions are more prevalent in certain countries and specific types of parking facilities.koreatimes.co.kr+5timesunion.com+5news.com.au+5

🔥 Fire Safety Concerns Leading to EV Parking Restrictions

EV fires, while statistically less frequent than those involving gasoline vehicles, can be more challenging to extinguish and may cause significant damage, especially in enclosed spaces like underground parking lots.

This has led to various measures being implemented in different regions:

• South Korea: Following a significant incident in August 2024 where a Mercedes-Benz EQE EV caught fire in an underground parking lot in Incheon, causing extensive damage and displacing residents, several measures were adopted:

  • The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced plans to restrict EVs charged over 90% from entering underground parking areas in apartment buildings.

  • Some residential complexes and commercial buildings in Seoul and surrounding areas have independently banned EVs from underground parking facilities.

  • Companies like KT and LG Display have prohibited or discouraged EVs from using underground parking at their facilities. koreatimes.co.kr+5wsj.com+5straitstimes.com+5straitstimes.com+3koreatimes.co.kr+3koreajoongangdaily.joins.com+3wapcar.my

• China: In response to concerns over EV fires, certain hotels and commercial buildings have started banning battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from underground parking. This move, while controversial, is permitted under Chinese laws that hold building owners responsible for fire safety. thetimes.co.uk+12wapcar.my+12news.com.au+12

• United States: In Saratoga Springs, New York, a condominium complex implemented a moratorium on parking new EVs in their underground garage due to fire safety concerns. This decision has sparked debate among residents and experts about the actual risks posed by EVs. timesunion.com+1thetimes.co.uk+1

• United Kingdom: A father was denied entry to a hospital car park in Liverpool because his EV was considered a fire risk. The hospital cited advice from the local fire service and ongoing sprinkler upgrades as reasons for the temporary restriction. thetimes.co.uk