Built for Sedans, Strained by the Future

Most operating parking garages were engineered when gasoline sedans were the most common vehicles on the road. Today’s market is dominated by pickup trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles. On average, an EV is 20%-30% heavier than its gasoline counterpart. This shift in vehicle weight is causing significant strain on parking structures. The additional weight from larger vehicles increases stress on concrete slabs, support beams, and foundations. Over time, this can lead to cracks, spalling, and even structural failure if not properly addressed.

//Infrastructure is struggling to keep up Most parking garages in service today were built 20-40 years ago, when the average vehicle weight was around 3,000-3,500 pounds. In contrast, many modern SUVs and pickup trucks weigh between 4,000-6,000 pounds, with some electric vehicles exceeding 5,000 pounds due to their heavy battery packs. Some garages have undergone retrofitting to accommodate heavier vehicles, but most have not. The cost of reinforcing existing structures can be prohibitive, leading to a growing number of garages that are ill-equipped to handle the current vehicle landscape.

//Think about this next time you drive over a bridge It’s not just garages either. Bridges, overpasses, and even residential driveways are also facing similar challenges as vehicle weights increase. The cumulative effect of these heavier vehicles can accelerate wear and tear on infrastructure, leading to higher maintenance costs and potential safety hazards.