BC Ferries has announced new restrictions on the transportation of electric vehicles (EVs), citing safety concerns related to Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
The decision, which has raised alarms among local residents and politicians, prohibits the transport of non-operational electric vehicles, such as those being towed on a truck, and halts charging of EVs both at ferry terminals and aboard vessels.
The new policy comes in response to guidelines issued by Transport Canada, which have intensified safety precautions for high-voltage batteries in damaged electric and hybrid vehicles.
Under the revised rules, vehicles with significant damage – such as exposed batteries, wiring issues, or fluid leaks – will not be permitted to board ferries.
Vehicles with minor damage, however, will require approval from the ship’s captain before they can be transported.
"We recognize this presents challenges for customers and commercial operators, particularly as EV adoption increases,” the ferry company said in a statement to simplymastery. “However, the safety risks associated with transporting potentially damaged high-voltage batteries, especially when the vehicle cannot be assessed under its own power, require a cautious approach.”
The restrictions also extend to inoperable EVs being towed, which will no longer be allowed to board ferries. However, commercial car carriers with undamaged vehicles will continue to operate under the new guidelines.
Meanwhile, the policy has sparked outrage among some members of the local government, with Langley-Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu demanding an immediate fix to the ban on EV on BC Ferries.
Bhangu has expressed concerns over the practical implications for local residents, particularly Island residents who may have limited access to local mechanics.
“This is what a failed transition looks like,” said Bhangu. “Island residents are being told they can’t take their EVs on the ferry unless they’re fully repaired, even when no local mechanic is available. It’s trapping people in their communities and punishing them for doing what the government asked: driving electric.”
In a June 30 letter sent to federal Minister of Transport Chrystia Freeland and B.C.’s Minister of Transportation Mike Farnworth, Bhangu denounced the new policy and its impact on tow truck operators, many of whom have reportedly refused jobs due to the new restrictions.
He also criticized the lack of public consultation prior to the policy’s rollout, demanding transparency regarding the safety standards for ferries and asking for clarification on the new regulations’ financial impact.
"No warning and no explanation,” Bhangu added. “We want to know: are these foreign-built vessels even up to code? Do they have adequate fire suppression systems? Or are we shifting blame onto working families to cover for infrastructure failures?”
MLA Banghu is calling for immediate transparency on the safety standards used to approve the ferries in question; explanation on why the policy was introduced without public notice; and an answer to who will cover the cost of regulatory compliance, BC Ferries or taxpayers.
BC Ferries confirmed it is actively reviewing the policy and seeking clarification from Transport Canada to explore whether regulated, safe alternatives for transporting damaged electric vehicles could be introduced in the future.
“British Columbians deserve better than chaos and confusion. This isn’t a climate strategy. It’s poor planning that’s hurting people. It needs to be fixed now," Bhangu said.”
