There are about 400 parking garages in the Netherlands, with an average of 450 parking spaces. At present, it is not possible to charge electric cars in about two thirds of those garages. And that must change, says State Secretary Van Veldhoven of Infrastructure and Water Management. “If you are on the road by car, parking in a parking garage is often a good option. How nice is it if you can easily store your car and the battery is full again after your appointment.”
In 2025, 5 percent of the spaces in parking garages will have a charging point
Between now and 2025, the number of charging stations in parking garages must increase tenfold. This means that by 2025 an average of 5 percent of the spaces in parking garages will have a charging point. Five years later that must have risen to 10 percent of the parking spaces. These percentages are based on the total number of charging points that are expected to be needed in the coming years. For new garages and major renovations of existing garages, there are already minimum requirements for the number of charging points according to European rules.
Electric cars in parking garages pose a fire risk
As part of the agreements, experts, garage managers and municipalities will work together to place charging points in the garages as smartly as possible. Parking electric cars in garages involves a number of risks. Charging points for electric cars in parking garages are dangerous, thinks the Institute for Physical Safety, which is working with the Netherlands Fire Service on an information sheet about the issue. Electric cars can catch fire while charging and are extremely difficult to extinguish.