Jumbo in Vantaa raises parking weight limit from two tons to three tons

The shopping center Jumbo in Vantaa has announced an increase in the weight limit for its parking facilities from two tons to three tons. According to Center Manager Olli Lehtoaro, this change was necessary as many customers were uncertain whether they could access the parking areas with their cars. Reports in August highlighted that weight restrictions were becoming a problem for more vehicles due to the significant increase in the weight of cars, especially electric vehicles, which have heavy batteries.

Structural engineers have assessed Jumbo’s parking facilities, confirming that the weight limit can be raised without any additional supports or renovations. New signage to reflect the revised weight limit is expected to be installed during the autumn.

Lehtoaro noted that the two-ton weight limit was previously set to discourage the entry of oversized vehicles into the parking structure. In many urban shopping centers, including those in Helsinki, weight limits are typically higher—up to 4.5 tons in places like Itäkeskus and Sello.

According to Tapio Aho, a structural design expert from Ramboll Finland, parking structures are often built to withstand significantly more weight than indicated. The two-ton limit represents the pressure that must be endured at certain points, and since vehicles have four wheels, the effective load is distributed. Aho explained that typical design loads for parking levels are around 250 kilograms per square meter, allowing for ample weight capacity for modern vehicles even when accounting for empty driving spaces.