The insurance company said it will explore alternative solutions for employees who drive electric vehicles to work
October 26, 2024 at 09:18
- State Farm will remove chargers from parking decks in its headquarters and US hubs.
- The insurance company identified fire risks that “cannot be mitigated at this time”.
- In a message to employees, State Farm said it is exploring alternative solutions
Insurance giant State Farm has decided to pull EV charging stations from its parking decks nationwide, citing fire safety concerns as the primary reason. The Illinois-based company, known for insuring just about everything under the sun, is now exploring alternative charging options for its EV-driving employees and promises to make further announcements once it has a plan. It’s an odd stance from a company that’s built on managing risk, but perhaps this risk was just too hot to handle.
Local news outlet WGLT reports that the decision will impact State Farm’s corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois, along with various satellite offices across the country. The removal deadline is set for October 28, giving employees who rely on the in-garage chargers less than a month to find a new way to keep their EVs juiced up during the workday.
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In a message reportedly sent to employees, State Farm stated: “While we understand the impact to those who rely on EV charging, it is our top priority to ensure a safe and secure working environment for our employees. Following an Enterprise Risk Assessment and evaluations conducted by local fire departments and workplace protection in each hub and corporate headquarters, fire risks were identified in the parking garages that cannot be mitigated at this time.”
If that sounds a bit ominous, it’s likely intended to.
Speaking to 25 News, State Farm elaborated: “Charging stations that are currently housed within our parking garages will be closing. Plans are in place to explore alternative charging locations outside of parking garages, including the possibility for EV parking. We will announce relevant updates as these plans are finalized.”
Translation: expect your EV to be parked somewhere in the open, far from any structural assets State Farm isn’t willing to risk.
The insurance provider seems convinced that moving EV chargers to surface lots is a safer bet, as it minimizes the potential threat to other vehicles and buildings.
EV fires have been a subject of controversy in the past few years, due to some high-profile cases around the world. While studies indicate that EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire than traditional gas-powered or hybrid vehicles, when they do ignite, their battery packs can turn into a firefighting nightmare. Each individual cell can catch fire separately, requiring specialized techniques and vast amounts of water to extinguish. The visual of an EV fire raging in a confined, underground garage doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Chargers are often installed in closed parking spaces in order to be protected from the elements. But a fire in an enclosed space can quickly fill a garage with toxic smoke and heat intense enough to damage the building itself. That’s a risk State Farm clearly isn’t willing to ignore—even if it means putting its own employees out in the cold, literally and figuratively.
Whether other corporations will follow State Farm’s lead remains to be seen, but as the largest property, casualty, and auto insurance provider in the United States, State Farm’s move could set a precedent.
H/T to Marco for the tip!
