Can electric vehicles be carried on a ro-ro ferry?

Guidance is provided on fire detection and firefighting measures for electric vehicles onboard, the carriage of electric vehicles other than cars, carriage of damaged electric vehicles and advice on charging of electric vehicles onboard. 1.2 Electric Vehicles are commonly carried onboard UK ro-ro ferries.

Will Electric ferries be banned in the UK?

Earlier this year, Norwegian shipping company Havila Kystruten decided to ban electric and hybrid vehicles from its ferries. With electric vehicles becoming increasingly prevalent, Mr Bartosak-Harlow said the industry in the UK is not currently considering similarly drastic measures.

Can you bring an EV on a ferry?

Equally, any restrictions which are in place for bringing an EV on to a ferry will likely be reduced once solid-state and lithium-iron phosphate batteries become more common – both designs are thought to be at a significantly reduced level of risk when it comes to fires.

Are lithium-ion batteries a 'growing risk' for car carriers?

A recent report from Allianz claimed that lithium-ion batteries pose a “growing risk” for car carriers, with fires mostly resulting from “substandard manufacturing or damaged battery cells or devices, over-charging and short-circuiting”.

Are Li-ion battery fires dangerous?

3.8.1 Harmful gases and other hazardous chemicals in Electric Vehicle fires The guidance included a note on the potential harmful gases and vapours that may be released during a Li-Ion battery fire but does not include specific information related to their hazards.

Are ferries safe?

Tom Bartosak-Harlow, director of communications for the UK Chamber of Shipping trade association, said: “Fires in ferries are thankfully incredibly rare, but ferry companies do have clear safety procedures in place to make sure we are minimising risks should a fire break out.”