BC Ferries says that it is clarifying that its internal policies will no longer allow cranes to transport non -operational electric vehicles (EV) aboard their vessels.
Transport Canada has had a policy on books since 2014 that demands that damaged or defective vehicles withdraw and transported separately from vehicles aboard ferry.
It occurs in the midst of the growing concerns about the risk of fire associated with the lithium ion batteries of the vehicles, especially because they see a growing adoption in BC.
Now, the province’s Ferry authority says that it is giving the staff better orientation when it comes to EV that is not in a position to be driven.
While the EVs that are still functional can continue aboard the ferries, which are damaged or not operational are not being allowed.
“Electric vehicles can still travel with us,” said a BC Ferries spokesman on Monday. “The updates are about safety and clarity, not restrictions on everyday drivers.”
A crane operator on the Gulf Islands, which depends particularly on BC Ferries, when it comes to accessing the main services, says that the internal policies clarified were surprised.
Jonathan Vipond, the owner of Salt Spring Isand Towing, said that simple repairs can be made to the EVs on the island, but that repairs must be made more elaborated by a dealership that is on a trip in Ferry.
“Currently, at this point, we have an option to place them in a landing ship and discover them on the island, but we really don’t have an important solution at this time,” Vipond said.
That option would cost more than $ 1,000, an amount that the vehicle owner would have to pay, and Vipond said there were two electric vehicles trapped on the island already in the midst of the clarified policies.
In his statement, BC Ferries says that he is looking for a clarification of regulators about whether safe options can be introduced to transport non -operational EVs.
In addition to non -functional EVs, the Ferry authority says that charging the EVs is not allowed in the terminals or board, and there are no load stations in those places anyway.
Requirement since 2014
Transport Canada says that they have not informed security incidents with respect to EVs in commercial marine vehicles.
He said that the transport of a damaged battery or a vehicle can be organized through alternative means, such as a commercial load or barge operator.
“Damaged or poorly worked lithium batteries can represent a risk of severe fire, which is an even higher risk for confinement space of the vehicle of a Roll-on/Roll-off ferry,” wrote a transport spokesman Canada in a statement.
The regulations on the transport of EV batteries are particularly relevant given the increase in the adoption of EVs throughout the country, and fire leaders say that CBC News that have to adapt to the particular risks associated with EV fires.
