EV cars on ferry
Environment & SustainabilityStarting February 12th, ferry operators in Koh Samui will allow electric vehicles (EVs) on board after the temporary ban that has been in place since November last year. The ban, which was introduced to ensure the safety of passengers and ships, did not apply to hybrid vehicles.
From now on, EVs will only be permitted on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Seatran Ferry will allow EVs to park in the front and rear sections of the ship, while Raja Ferry is still in the process of upgrading its equipment, including the installation of fire extinguishers specifically for EVs. Raja Ferry recently conducted a fire drill simulating an EV fire to train staff in handling emergencies using specialized materials like EV fire blankets.
Despite concerns about EV battery fires, studies show that the risk is actually lower than for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. For instance, a study by the Australian Department of Defence found a 0.0012% chance of an EV battery catching fire, compared to 0.1% for ICE cars.
This move reflects growing confidence in the safety of EVs, with ferry companies adjusting their safety protocols accordingly.
EV, electric car, samui, Islands, Travel, Ferry
