OCU challenges parking lots that ban electric cars: they have reviewed the regulations and some garages’ signs are invalid

15/10/2026 21:00

Updated to

15/10/2026 21:00

Spanish legislation is promoting the installation of charging stations in residential buildings and public parking lots, but some establishments have begun imposing restrictions that target the very vehicles intended to use them. This situation has created a conflict between the decisions made by certain operators and legal requirements that generally do not allow for the exclusion of electric cars on safety grounds.

In response to this situation, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has stated that generally, there is no legal basis for preventing an electric vehicle from entering a publicly accessible parking lot. This statement comes after facilities such as Garaje Centro de Madrid installed signs prohibiting access to these vehicles, a decision their officials attribute to the risk of battery fires and which has drawn widespread criticism.

The OCU warns that parking lots cannot prohibit access without a technical justification.

The issue has also been addressed by the European Commission, which stated in 2025 that fires in electric vehicles do not occur more frequently than those in gasoline or diesel cars. According to data collected by OCU, the risk of an electric vehicle catching fire can be 10 to 20 times lower than that of a gasoline car, although the organization acknowledges that lithium-ion batteries can experience thermal leakage processes that significantly complicate firefighting efforts, especially in enclosed spaces.

These difficulties explain why some operators have adopted preventive measures, although not all are solely due to fire hazards. In Belgium, Carrefour announced restrictions on electric vehicles in the parking decks of around 40 supermarkets, citing issues related to vehicle weight and the strength of certain older structures. In Spain, the Madrid Fire Brigade has also warned about the challenges involved in extinguishing a battery fire in an underground garage, where access and ventilation conditions can hinder rescue efforts.

Drivers can file complaints if they are prevented from parking their electric car

OCU makes a distinction between general restrictions and those that may address specific security shortcomings. A parking lot might temporarily restrict access under exceptional circumstances, provided there are technical reports supporting the decision and it is proportional to the identified risk. However, the organization believes that any deficiencies in a facility should be addressed through improvements to its security systems, rather than maintaining permanent prohibitions that affect all electricians indiscriminately.

Regarding those affected, the organization reminds that there are various ways to report such situations when they occur in establishments open to the public. Drivers can request a complaint form, turn to the consumer protection authorities of their autonomous community, or submit the case through OCU’s Reclamar platform. The organization also advises reporting the incidents to the relevant authorities when there are signs that the restrictions violate consumers’ rights.

The conflict gains particular significance at a time when regulations require many buildings and parking lots to install infrastructure for plug-in vehicles. As Spain’s electric vehicle fleet continues to grow, OCU insists that specific safety conditions must be evaluated individually and not used to justify indiscriminate bans, so that fire protection and access to parking lots can be ensured without imposing differences lacking sufficient technical basis.