Structural Strengthening Car Park Transportation Infrastructure

As the use of electric vehicles (EVs) becomes more widespread, it's important to consider the impact they may have on parking structures. One key concern is the added weight of EVs, which can put additional stress on the structure of the car park. To ensure the safety of these facilities, it is critical to assess and strengthen parking garages to accommodate future needs.

The weight of the top five EV cars sold in 2021 is about
2.5 times
greater than the weight of the top five cars sold in the 1960's.
Power supply for hybrid electric car charging battery. Eco car concept.
Some electric vehicles are roughly
33% heavier
than their gasoline counterparts.¹
The European Union recently reached a deal to
ban
new combustion-engine cars from 2035 on.³
The global parking lot and garage market is expected to grow from around USD 86 billion in 2020 to nearly USD
120 billion
in 2025, at a CAGR of 5.8%.²
Car parking garage at 206 Victoria Street West in Auckland, New Zealand

Is Your Car Park Structure Strong Enough for EV Cars?

Electric vehicles are roughly 33% heavier than their gasoline counterparts, which has a significant impact on safety for all car parking garage users. As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to increase, car park owners need to act now to avoid endangering pedestrians or causing a catastrophic collapse.

How old is your car park?
How well has it been maintained?

Many existing multi-story car parks were built in the 1960s and 1970s from reinforced concrete. These structures face early degradation, structural defects and other shortcomings. Car park owners need to take steps to access the structure and ensure their property continues to be fit for purpose.

Illustration showing weighing up the problem 1960-2021 car park structures heavier due to EV weight

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Our new specialist report explores the issues ahead and the solutions which will future-proof these structures to support greener, longer-lasting infrastructure.

So how do car park owners, designers and builders address these challenges?

Find out more in the new specialist report. Download your copy and get informed today.

Cover page of Sika specialist report 2022 - Are Car Parks Fit for the Vehicles of the Future showing electric vehicle charging
Specialist Report Brief

Foreword by Russell Simmons of Stripe Consulting and Chair of British Parking Association (BPA) Structures Interest Group, an independent industry expert

Car parks in the modern world: State of car park sector

Weighing up the issue: Structural loads in multi-story car parks

The rise of electric vehicles: Facts and figures

What can be done?

  • Indicators of structural deterioration
  • Assess
  • Specify
  • Repair  
    • Reinstate lost strength
    • Protect against future deterioration
    • Prevent ingress
    • Corrosion control
    • Increase strength of beams, columns and slabs
  • Maintain

Sika: Your Single Source of Solutions

Sika flooring system in parking garage Lammermarkt in Leiden Netherlands with 2 men from Sika and man with hard hat

Sika has been transforming car parking garages and car park environments for over 40 years worldwide.
Did you know that we offer a single source of solutions, including:

  • Deck waterproofing systems, for external and internal desk surfaces, and ramps
  • Overlay systems for existing asphalt decks
  • Sealing solutions, for high to low movement expansion joints
  • Anti-carbonation coatings
  • Joint sealing for facades and precast concrete
  • Concrete repair and corrosion protection
  • Specialist rapid strength-gain materials to ensure quick return to service
  • Floor and wall coatings for entrance areas, walkways and stairwells
  • Anti-graffiti coatings
  • Basement and below-grade waterproofing solutions

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