The Real Possible Reason Why Parking Garages in New York Are Allegedly Refusing Tesla Cybertruck, Apparently Instructed By Insurance

Tesla’s Cybertruck is making headlines again - not for its futuristic design or electric drivetrain, but because parking garages in New York are allegedly refusing to accommodate it.

As Torque News reported in our previous article, according to some operators, insurance companies may be advising against parking Tesla Cybertrucks due to unique challenges and risks associated with electric vehicles.

Some readers thought this whole situation may be politically motivated. However, there is a stronger argument. Several commenters raised a valid point. One of them is Mardi Wally, who, among others, brought the argument of EV fires in closed underground NYC parking garages.

Mardi writes and says, "Have you ever seen an EV fire? I have, and it's scary. All the batteries start exploding and the fire is uncontrollable. Firefighters have to just wait for the fire to be over because it's so dangerous. I steer clear of them. Those batteries are toxic AF."

As another commenter said, Cybertrucks already have a rep for failing in unforeseen -and often spectacular- ways, and insurance companies all over the map want no parts of it. In fact, a few days ago Torque News senior reporter John Goreham discussed sobering facts about battery-electric pickup trucks, and said "it’s hard to see how battery-only pickups can be seen as anything but a failing effort."

Watch a video on the Torque News YouTube channel explaining why the EV pickup makers are taking the wrong path, and follow us for more automotive news and analysis there.

Bob Harvey, a Torque News commenter, suggests to look at this froma different perspective. He says, "First is the weight of an EV, Cybertrucks and EVs are significantly heavier than petroleum fueled vehicles due to battery weight. A Tesla four door weighs more than the 2011 Crown Victoria. This is causing Structural Engineers to look at static loading of structures such as parking garages, bridges and elevated motorways. The parking structures on the East coast need particular scrutiny due to the fact many are converted industrial buildings turned into garages. Now we introduce a series of electric vehicle units that provide a new live load on the structure resulting in a dynamic loading that may not have been calculated when the structure was converted."

Harvey says another factor to consider is the thermal runaway on the batteries that can occur without notice, recently there was a fatal fire in NYC as a result of an electric bike that was stored in an apartment hallway. In Boulder, Colorado an EV exploded and caused a significant fire in a parking structure, neither of these were plugged into a charging system.

Harvey reveals to more interesting factors regarding the insurance companies trying to protect their insured properties and shares his perspective as a member of the local fire service. He says, "there are insurance companies that are examining protecting their insured properties by not allowing an EV in a homes garage or within 30’ of the structure. As a member of the fire service we find dealing with the EV fire a significant challenge with no method of extinguishing the thermal runaway, the vehicle in reality must burn itself out while adjoining vehicles or structures are protected."

"Of course Europe is further ahead of the US in EV utilization and issues with some communities designating EV parking areas isolated from vehicles with gasoline and the European fire service was key in developing a specialized blanket that contains the fire to the EV of origin. The standard gasoline vehicle fire takes just under an hour and 500 gallons of water or less to control, the EV thermal runaway and continued fire can take several hours and several thousand gallons of water to contain."

What steps are insurance companies taking to address risks associated with heavier EVs like the Cybertruck?

Insurance companies are taking several steps to address the risks posed by heavier electric vehicles like the Tesla Cybertruck. One major focus is reassessing liability coverage policies. With the Cybertruck’s expected weight exceeding that of most passenger vehicles, insurers are evaluating the impact on parking structures and accident scenarios. This includes conducting risk assessments for potential structural damage to properties and higher repair costs due to the Cybertruck’s unique design and materials.

Additionally, insurers are investing in understanding EV-specific fire risks. Lithium-ion battery fires present unique challenges, burning hotter and longer than fires in traditional vehicles. To mitigate these risks, insurance companies are collaborating with automakers, firefighters, and safety experts to develop guidelines for safe storage, parking, and emergency response. These efforts aim to reduce potential liability in the event of a fire while providing property owners with actionable safety measures.

Lastly, the evolving EV insurance landscape includes premium adjustments based on data analytics. Insurers are leveraging telemetry and real-world performance data to determine rates reflective of the vehicle’s weight, safety features, and likelihood of accidents or structural risks. This tailored approach allows for more accurate risk evaluation, ensuring insurance policies adequately cover high-value vehicles like the Cybertruck without disproportionately affecting premiums for other EV owners.

You see, this topic underscores the growing pains of integrating advanced EVs into legacy systems. The Tesla Cybertruck’s unique design and capabilities are emblematic of the hurdles faced by automakers, insurers, and property owners in the transition to sustainable transportation.

What do you think about the challenges parking garages and insurance companies face with heavier EVs like the Tesla Cybertruck? Should automakers or city planners take more responsibility for addressing these risks? Please, share your thoughts in the comments below to continue the discussion.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.