BC Ferries has banned certain electric vehicles from sailing in accordance with new guidance from Transport Canada.Electric and hybrid vehicle charging is also now prohibited at terminals and on ships.Battery-powered cars with major damage, such as exposed batteries, wiring issues, or fluid leaks, will not be allowed to board. Those with minor damage not interfering with the power system will have to be approved by the master of the vessel. Inoperable electric vehicles, such as those being towed, are also barred from entry, however commercial car carriers will still be permitted so long as the contents is not damaged."To ensure passenger and crew safety, BC Ferries has recently updated its policy around the transport of electric vehicles due to the potential fire and environmental risks associated with damaged lithium-ion batteries," the corporation said in a statement, per Chek News. "Lithium-Ion batteries are widely used, but when damaged or handled improperly, they can pose a serious fire risk."The government of British Columbia has been committed to increasing electric vehicle adoption in the province, and has vowed to ensure there are no new gas-powered cars sold by 2035..The move has left many wondering how they will get their defective electric vehicles where they need to go for repairs.Salt Spring Island resident Kirsty Smythe, for example, said she's now scrambling to shuttle her car to Victoria to have its dead battery replaced. Under the new rules, it cannot be transported via BC Ferries, meaning she will likely have to pay upwards of $1,500 to barge it across the harbour.BC Ferries does operate "dangerous cargo" sailings, though it is unclear at this point whether such vehicles would be allowed on board.A number of countries and ferry operators have banned electric vehicles from being transported, citing the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. There have been numerous EV-related accidents on ships, including one in which a North Sea freighter en route to Singapore burst into flames, killing on person, injuring others, and causing damage to the environment.On June 3, a ship carrying 800 electric vehicles travelling from China to Mexico caught fire in Alaskan waters. Efforts to control the blaze were futile, and the crew was forced to evacuate.
