CAR Elevators uses, prices and technical aspects; A complete Guide (2024)

What is Car Elevator

For most of people when we say the word “Elevator” the first thing that comes to mind is that elevators that move persons between the floors of a building. But today in the following lines we are going to talk about Car Elevators; yes, A car elevator or vehicle elevator is an elevator that uses a mechanism for transportation of vehicles vertically between levels or floors of a building.

Somebodies may consider any parking equipment that move vehicles vertically as a type of car elevators but we prefer to differentiate between car elevators and car parking lifts or systems as we describe any equipment that used to park more cars in the same space as a parking equipment like:

Two Post Parking lift to park two cars in one slot,

Triple stacker parking lift to park three cars in one parking slot,

puzzle parking system to create an independent vertical parking system in horizontal slots and vertical levels that may park 21 cars in space of 6 slots in one of its four levels modules,

also, like Rotary parking System that park from 8 to 20 cars in just a space of two slots.

Of course, all of that lifts and systems do an elevation process to move car vertically but we prefer to call that with its name that always has the “parking” word on it. on the other hand, we like to call this equipment that just made to move cars from a level to another level as “Car Elevator”.

Sometime car elevators are integrated with a parking system such in fully automated parking as you may use a car elevator to move vehicles vertically then there is an automated robotic platform that take vehicles from the elevator and leads it to the parking slot and vice versa, also one of famous mechanical parking products that integrate the car elevator with the parking system is tower parking which has in one of most common modules two towers as shelves on the right and the left and a car elevator in between to move cars vertically and then a movable platform put car on and take it off that shelves.

Uses of Car Elevators:

Why may someone need to use a car elevator as he/she of course will not take his/her car to the bedroom? Let’s discuss about the most common uses and reasons to use a car elevator.

Go Downward without ramps

You can use a car elevator when you need to move cars from the ground level to underground garage in basement and there is no enough space to make ramps that go from the ground level to basement(s) and vice versa; so, in that case you can use a car elevator instead to get cars from the ground level to the basement(s) level(s) and vice versa.

Get more space

Also, you may have enough space and suitable architectural and structural design to make ramps but you decide to use car elevator as you want to save more space and get benefited from it in other building facilities or to increase the number of parking spaces in your garage.

Go Upward without ramps

In the other hand you may use car elevator when you need to move cars upward from the ground level to upper levels in the building such in case if we want to make a showroom in an already existing building so at that moment you can use a car elevator to move cars from ground level to your showroom level and vice versa. Also in multilevel garages where driving on a rounded ramp for multi-level is difficult and not safe so you can use car elevators instead to reach the upper levels of the garage.  

The above-mentioned uses are the basic and most common uses of car elevators and we can conclude that car elevators can be used by real-estate developers, architects and contracting companies in new upcoming projects as they can put the car elevator as a part of the building design from start point regardless the type of the building as we can use car elevator in residential buildings, commercial buildings, malls, hotels, administrative buildings etc. and also when there is any space for the shaft of the car elevator we can use it in an existing building to add a new value and feature to that building.

 Personal and luxurious use of Car Elevator

Are you ready to take a tour in an interesting and stunning realm? Ok, let’s talk about uses of car elevators in the personal life. In personal life you can go far as your budget can Do you ever think to put your valuable car in an underground pit? You can do that by using a car elevator that customized to get your car in an underground preprepared pit and get covered with a canopy that can be paved with whatever type of flooring materials to match the surrounding architectural design and landscape; the same idea can be used to be the entrance and exit to your private basement garage.

Like individuals’ elevators, car elevator can be furnished with whatever of finishing and decorative materials in floors, sidewalls, and ceiling. Also, you can add preferable lighting and operation panels design.

You can get a remote control or even integrate your car elevator with another control system such doors one or the smart home system.

You can also get a car elevator that not just move your car vertically but make a horizontal transportation as well; that can be by using a whole sliding car elevator or by using a car elevator that is equipped with a movable platform that take the car away from it.

Technical Aspects related to Car Elevator

Car Elevator Components

A car elevator consists of a platform on which the car is parked, a steel structure that fit within the shaft of the car elevator and carry all of the loads, a mechanism that allow the vertical movement to happen and a lifting method that provide the necessary power to operate the car elevator.

Car Elevator’s Lifting methods

In general, the most common lifting methods for car elevators are either using hydraulic lifting system or using geared motor both are connected with the car elevator’s platform by steel wires or chains.

Car Elevator’s Mechanisms

Car Elevator can depend on many of mechanisms that can all do the function; here are the most common mechanisms:

1. Four posts (columns), platform and suitable lifting method.
2. Scissor mechanism under a platform and hydraulic lifting system.
3. Two sides as columns and using of Rack & Pinion mechanism driven by geared motor.

The selection of lifting method, mechanism, platform design and motor power depend on some factors such as:

1. Car Elevator lifting height.
2. Dimensions and nature of the shaft inside which car elevator will move.
3. Dimensions of cars that car elevator will carry.
4. No. of stops and levels that car elevator will serve.
5. Car Elevator lifting capacity (Max. car weight)

Does a car elevator require a pit? All real-estate developers, Architects and contractors of any project that is planned to be equipped with a car elevator care about that issue of does a car elevator need a pit to study that effect on architectural design, structural design, cost etc. In fact, the decision of whether making a pit for car elevator or no and the depth of the car elevator’s pit depends on the design of the elevator, mechanism and lifting method. For example, scissor mechanism need pit because the structure of the mechanism and the hydraulic equipment are placed under the platform otherwise the four post car elevator for example doesn’t need a pit except an optional small pit for the platform to get rid of ramps and make the platform leveled with the ground and that is a preferable option for most of car elevator’s users.

Is a Car Elevator safe enough?

One of the most concerns that hit the mind of anyone interested in using a Car Elevator is the safety factors and protection methods. And here are headlines in that aspect of car elevators:

Firstly, the car elevator should be designed in a right way according to engineering rules and complying with accredited codes to assure its conformity with the required parameters such car weight and dimensions; so, if you have to buy and install a car elevator be sure you are dealing with a manufacturer that follow recognized engineering and design standards.

If the Car Elevator is designed in a right way, then it must be installed and operated in a right way as well.

Once you got your car elevator from a reputable manufacturer and got installed by a professional installer and all operation instructions are followed then don’t worry about your cars because car elevators are equipped by various types of protection means as below.

Examples of Car Elevator safety factors and protection methods:

• Car Elevators are equipped with multiple protection devices and sensors to prevent falling, collision and overload.
• Car elevators also may have photo electric sensors to check and stop the unit when cars park improperly or when persons accidently cross in.
• Emergency stop buttons that allow anyone to stop the car elevator immediately if there is any danger.

In addition to the basic safety factors and protection methods there are many optional safety additions that can be added to the car elevator.

Car Elevator Prices

Of course, anyone who interested in Car Elevators now want to know how much it will cost to buy and install a Car Elevator; in the following lines we will talk about car elevators prices.

As there are many factors that affect the design and parameters of a car elevator as mentioned above, accordingly the same factors will affect the price of a car elevator.

Car Elevators are tailored products that have unlimited options to be customized so when you ask any supplier or manufacturer what does a car elevator cost me? They will respond to you with a list of questions that help them quote your project such:

What are the maximum dimensions of cars that car elevator will be used for?

What is the car elevator lifting capacity? What is the car elevator lifting height?

What is the type and level of finishing do you want your car elevator to be furnished with?

And so on.

But of course, as you are interested in car elevators you need to hear a number even if it is a rough price for a predefined standard model of car elevators. And I’ll satisfy your thirst below;

  The price of a standard car elevator that is suitable for normal most common sedan and SUV cars with lifting capacity of about 3 to 4 tons, and to serve one level with lifting height of 3 to 4 meters will be in a range of USD 8,000 to 15,000. keep in mind that this is the average manufacturer price what means that that car elevator price is an ex-works car elevator price or may be a FOB Car Elevator price, and you need to calculate the cost of shipping of the car elevator from the manufacturer region to your project country or region and then add the cost of who will install the car elevator for you. Or you can hire a local company that will give you the total price of a car elevator including the supply and installation that roughly will be 2x to 3x the manufacturer price that mean that the total range of cost for a standard car elevator may vary from USD 16,000 to USD 45,000.

How to get a Car Elevator in Europe?

If you are in Europe, you have some options to get a Car Elevator to be installed in Europe. Firstly of Course you can get high quality, luxurious and certified European standards products directly from here from one of the reputable European car elevator brands from one of the European union big industrial countries such Germany, Italy, France; do that if you don’t have any limits to your budget and willing to pay the highest prices for that European made car elevator and in the other hand you don’t have any time to discover a great realm of car elevators manufacturers, if not so, let’s dig deep and go far a little bit as you can find a wide range of car elevators in China, India, Egypt, Türkiye etc.

Chinese Car Elevators

If you just seek the lowest price, you may get the Car Elevator from China or India and in that case, you should calculate the cost and time of shipping a car elevator from China to Europe and then hire a local installer that experienced in installation of Car Elevators in Europe. Of Course, as in most of other industries there are high quality Chinese car elevators and of course in high prices. But if you will pay a high price for the manufacturer itself and then incur the shipping cost and time and headache of importing from there so what is the benefit. So the benefit is come from getting the cheapest car elevator regardless of specifications and quality.

Egyptian Car Elevators

As you can get more from the promising Egyptian made in many industries, now you can get the Car Elevator from Egypt in high quality and safety standards and trusted materials sources but in affordable prices compared to European brands, it cost higher than Chinese and Indian car elevators but in addition to the differentiation in quality and materials you will get benefits such free customs according to Egyptian’s products with Euro1 certificate and also get benefited with faster and lower shipping cost according to the location of Egypt as it is the nearest to Europe so you can get a Car Elevator to be installed in Europe in less shipping time and cost; for example to get a 40’ container from China to European country such Italy you will be charged a cost that reach USD 4000 and wait your order for more than 70 days while you can get the same 40’ container from Egypt in just 10 days for about USD 1000!.

Also, the communication with Egyptians is so easy according to time zone that exactly match the European time zones and language as they speak English well and always Egyptian companies have persons who talk European languages such Italian, French, German, Spanish etc.

Then also you need to hire a European installer to install your Car Elevator in Europe or you may deal from first with an Egyptian manufacturer that has distributors in Europe and can do the installation services of car elevators in Europe.

If you want to get a car elevator from outside of Europe to be installed in Europe you can deal with a European importer and installer that will do everything for you but you must know what exist in the world of car elevators manufacturers to know and be aware with what the importer brings for you and from where they will import the car elevator from China, India Egypt etc. 

How to get a Car Elevator in the United States?

To get a car elevator to be installed in the united states you may have the same options of getting a car elevator in Europe, you can buy a car elevator from American car elevators top brands that ship and install the car elevator inside united states and Canada and you will pay the highest price or you can get the cheapest products from China and incur the shipping time and cost, difficult of communication, big difference in time zones and the uncertainty of material sources as well. Or you can get products from middle east to get enough quality standards that meet the requirements of a car elevator to be installed in the United States in affordable prices and get all the benefits of location, language and time zone.

Get exact price and specifications for your Car Elevator

If you need an exact price of car elevator or even want to know the best car elevator that fit your requirements, we can do that for you but please share with us some information such:

• Brief about your building type and the purpose of using a car elevator.
• Dimensions of Car Elevator shaft.
• Dimensions of cars to be ride the car elevator.
• Max. weight of the car elevator.
• Lifting height, no. of levels and no. of stops.
• If there is an architectural drawing of the area it will be great.

As the information you provide us with, as we can help you get the best car elevator specifications and price that fit yours.

Be a distributor or installer of Car Elevators

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