My in-laws live in an apartment complex in Denver, CO. They own an EV and use a trickle charger for it. The parking garage for the building is subsurface. The electrical systems are all up to code and regularly inspected. Their board recently informed them that the Denver fire marshall prohibited the installation of EV charging stations in below-grade parking garages (including their trickle charger). The DFD fire marshall memo states, "This position is based on identified life safety hazards, the absence of prescriptive code provisions, and the significant challenges posed by EV fire events in enclosed, limited-access environments."

They are still allowed to park their EV in the garage - the limitation is only on charging. The HOA is extending this to bike chargers as well*.

The data I found (https://www.evfiresafe.com/post/how-common-are-ev-fires?cs=1&hl=en-US&biw=1762&bih=827) shows that EV fires are incredibly rare (especially outside of a collision). However, the data from this group showed slightly over a 1/3 of fires occurred while the car was charging.

CO has laws (C.R.S. 38-33.3-106.8) that state HOAs cannot have a blanket ban on chargers, but it does look like there are potentially some loop holes for HOAs if there are safety concerns - and the DFD policy seems to back this.

Curious if anyone has dealt with something similar? My in-laws love their EV, but will likely give it up if forced to charge elsewhere.

*edited to clarify that the ban was to EV and bike chargers

** Thanks everyone for the comments. Hopefully, our international/federal code bodies can figure out some solutions that allow EV parking in subsurface spaces. Otherwise, we really need to rethink how we do parking going forward. Certainly don't want to make firefighters jobs harder, but there are many existing buildings with underground parking and it seems really limiting if charging isn't allowed.

I think my advice to my in-laws will be for them to push for more surface level EV chargers at their building if there is space in the tiny little surface lot they have and to have a community place to park bikes safely and allow for charging.

Toyota has been developing solid-state batteries for years and is close to releasing them in the next LFA as soon as next year.

I spent a couple months this year obsessing over EV details while shopping for a new (used) vehicle, eventually landing on a 2024 Nissan Ariya in June. There are few EVs where I live and no one in my social circle has much interest in them, so I was hoping to share some points for discussion here.

1. Automakers almost seem to be intentionally sabotaging the US EV market.

Yeah, that is bit hyperbolic, but I say this because:
a. MRSPs seem sky high without heavy discounting, but the sticker shock probably keeps many from ever even inquiring. Elevated MSRPs combined with the intense depreciation likely fences out many that aren't committed to a EV.
b. Sales associates often seem clueless about EV inventory and features.
c. Dealer charging stations often seem to be charging twice the kwh rate of other local stations.
d. It doesn't feel like manufacturers are doing much to combat range anxiety from a marketing perspective.

1. Is it just me, or is there a massive misunderstanding of Eco mode and regenerative braking amongst users?

I've read so many users saying they don't use eco mode, the reason usually being that you "need to push the pedal harder to go the same speed" making it pointless. From my shopping, it seems like eco mode typically does 1-3 things: 1) places higher priority on using a single motor in a dual motor setup, 2) extends the pedal travel to prevent surging, and/or 3) places a limit on the maximum % of motor capacity you can use. Personally, I like using eco mode when hauling my kids/wife around, because it easier to accelerate smoothly from a stop.

For regenerative braking, many seem to think that you are combating an introduced friction if B mode is engaged. From my understanding, the throttle position adjusts the strength of the magnetic resistance. Is that right? Sure, in some situations coasting is likely more efficient. But just because you are using regenerative braking doesn't mean the vehicle is fighting itself when you have the accelerator pressed. At least, that is my interpretation.

1. Is Hyundai astroturfing? I'm not trying to be controversial here, genuine question.

I initially planned to get an Ioniq 5 and eventually leaned away, partially because I just didn't like the overall look, and partially because I knew I wouldn't be able to stop worrying about the ICCU issues, regardless of the actual failure rate. That being said, while doing research, posts about Hyundai/Kia ICCU issues received significantly more responses about how great the cars were when compared to posts about problems with other EVs. Most replies look something like "Best vehicle I've ever owned, no regrets." My question isn't about whether or not they are good cars, but rather the general internet response to any negative feedback about them.

1. Makes/models:

a. Holy hell the insurance quotes on Teslas though (looked at Model Y).
b. ID.4 — Step 1: make a good looking vehicle. Step 2: make the user interface/controls annoying as fuck. Step 3: profit???
c. Nissan: our interns designed this UI back in 2018.
d. Toyota: we were told to make an EV, so here is the most average, dull experience we could manufacture. (shrug)
e. GM: you will never enter one of our vehicles without sighing at the interior.
f. EVERYONE: we hope you weren't planning on seeing out of the back glass.

1. . Just to briefly rant. I'm so tired of my parent's generation (aged 60s-70s) of telling my how much I fucked up by getting an EV. I don't know where the hate and distrust is originating, but people are incredibly ready to tell me why I made a bad choice. I've even had a couple comments about how it won't be able to turn over/start in the winter. C'mon.

Falken created a customized version of its Azenis FK520 for the upcoming electric Porsche Cayenne. The development reflects the continuing move toward tires engineered specifically for heavier, high-performance EVs.

I saw on the F150 lightning thread that they got an update to be able to run ProPower while the vehicle is off. Has anybody with an E-Transit received this update yet or know when it might be available on the E-Transit?

Things will get interesting for the EU/US car industry in the following years, especially considering how great these other companies have been in introducing the features average car buyers need. Nice!

We always hear of Chinese EV manufacturers, but VinFast of Vietnam is doing well so far. Move EV companies is a good thing.