Flower Mound adopts amendment that addresses dangers of EV chargers

On Monday, Flower Mound Town Council adopted an amendment proposed by the Fire Department that restricts where electric vehicle chargers can go in parking structures, like parking garages, to prevent fires.

The amendment limits high-voltage EV charging stations to the ground floor in parking garages and controls where charging stations should be placed outside. This would allow first responders easy access to vehicles that have caught on fire while charging.

Fire Chief Paul Henley said 30% of EV fires occur because of lithium-ion battery failure while the vehicle is charging. The other 70% often come from collision, but can also come from overheating and manufacturing defects.

It also requires sprinklers for indoor commercial use, emergency stops, requires bollards around the station an