Battery and automobile manufacturers are being criticised for not taking the safety concerns of ferrying electric vehicles (EVs) “seriously enough”.
As reported by The Loadstar, some attitudes in the auto-industry have been “blasé” about the safety concerns of EVs while they are being transported, adding that they are “apparently not on the industry’s radar”.
Loss prevention director at TT Club Mutual Insurance, Peregrine Storrs-Fox, and health safety, security, and environment officer for Mediterranean Shipping Company, Dirk Vande Velde, vocalised their criticisms with the news outlet about the dangers that lithium-ion batteries can present, particularly when EVs are being transported aboard ro-ro ferries. Since these batteries burn at extremely high temperatures, there are fears that using water to douse the blaze – as is the procedure with standard fires – “could cause ferries to become unstable”.
Additionally, they noted that older EVs, where batteries may have been “abused” or damaged in any way could be “more susceptible to fire”.
Mr Vande Velde said: “We need to be able to scan EVs to get an idea of the state of their batteries.”
Several car-carrying operators have expressed their concern over EVs and have even banned them on board their ferries.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen stated: “We do not accept any used EVs on our vessels, as a safety measure due to the unpredictability of the vehicle’s condition.”
Havila Kystruten, based in Norway, also announced a ban on electric or hybrid cars aboard its ferries due to fire fears. It added that, normally, crews were only trained to deal with conventional vehicle fires.
Chief Executive of the company, Bent Martini, said: “A possible fire in electric, hybrid, or hydrogen cars will require external rescue efforts and can endanger people on board and the ships.
“We take security seriously, and it is of course a risk we are under no circumstances willing to take.”
It is believed that several operators are working to find solutions to minimise the risk that EVs possess onboard ferries. Mr Martini added: “We are fully aware that there is a certain expectation, especially from the coastal community, that ships along the coastal route must assist with the transport of private motor vehicles between ports.”
Other transport operators noted that they had implemented a number of “emergency management plans” for car fires. Leading ferry operator DFDS added it is “working closely with our counterparts and subject experts to enable us to mitigate any potential risks”.
“Additionally, we have introduced a specific Fire Fighting Package for Fires in Alternative Fuelled vehicles onboard all of our vessels and have specific training on the subject.”
In defence of EV manufacturers, Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Safety is the number one priority, and all vehicles, electric or otherwise, imported into and exported from the UK must comply with applicable legislation.
“This includes international regulations developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which set harmonised technical standards for the safety of electric vehicles.
“We are unaware of any evidence to suggest that transporting electric vehicles, which is standard practice globally, poses a greater risk to cargo or ferry vessels than other types of vehicle.”