State Farm Removes EV Chargers From Garages Due to Fire Concerns

The insurance company stated it will look into alternative options for employees who commute with electric vehicles.

Insurance giant State Farm has chosen to remove EV charging stations from its parking facilities nationwide, citing fire safety concerns as the main reason. The Illinois-based company, known for insuring almost everything, is now considering alternative charging options for employees who drive EVs and has promised further updates once a new plan is in place. It’s an unusual stance for a company centered on managing risk, but this particular risk may have been deemed too high.

Local news outlet WGLT reports that this decision affects State Farm’s corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois, as well as satellite offices across the country. The removal is set for completion by October 28, leaving employees with less than a month to find alternative charging options during the workday.

In a message reportedly sent to employees, State Farm said, “We recognize the impact on those who rely on EV charging, but ensuring a safe and secure workplace is our top priority. After conducting an Enterprise Risk Assessment and evaluations with local fire departments and workplace safety teams at each hub and corporate headquarters, fire risks were identified in the parking garages that cannot currently be mitigated.” If that sounds a bit ominous, it’s likely meant to.

Speaking with 25 News, State Farm clarified: “The charging stations currently located in our parking garages will be closing. We’re exploring options for alternative charging locations outside of the garages, including designated EV parking areas. We’ll provide updates as plans are finalized.”

In other words, expect your EV to be parked out in the open, away from any structural assets State Farm isn’t willing to risk.

The insurance provider appears convinced that relocating EV chargers to surface lots is a safer option, as it reduces the potential risk to nearby vehicles and buildings.

EV fires have been a topic of concern in recent years due to several high-profile incidents worldwide. Although studies show that EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire than traditional gas or hybrid vehicles, when they do, their battery packs can pose a significant challenge for firefighters. Each cell within the battery can ignite separately, requiring specialized techniques and large quantities of water to put out. The idea of an EV fire blazing in a confined, underground garage doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Chargers are often installed in enclosed parking areas to protect them from weather. However, a fire in a closed space can rapidly fill a garage with toxic smoke and intense heat, potentially causing structural damage. That’s a risk State Farm is clearly unwilling to overlook—even if it means leaving its employees exposed to the elements.

Whether other companies will follow State Farm’s lead remains uncertain, but as the largest property, casualty, and auto insurer in the U.S., State Farm’s decision could set a precedent.

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  • Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

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