Damper for electric dreams
Norwegian shipping company bans transport of electric cars
01/21/2023, 09:25 am
Ironically, in the country that has promoted e-mobility like no other, e-cars are now being banned – by a shipping company. Havila prohibits transportation for security reasons. The reason for this is the sinking of the “Felicity Ace” with thousands of luxury vehicles a year ago.
Actually, the future should be electric, but the doubts are increasing. Higher electricity costs due to the energy crisis, inflation, cuts in electric subsidies and a lack of infrastructure with charging stations are dampening enthusiasm regarding the electric revolution. The production backlog at companies due to a lack of material also pulled the plug on many a fantasy. In Norway, the hype surrounding e-vehicles is now experiencing another setback.
Ironically, in the country that is regarded as a pioneer in electromobility in Europe, electric cars are no longer allowed on the “mail boats” of the Havila Kystruten shipping company that sail off the coast. Havila is the smaller competitor to the better-known Hurtigruten line and the first shipping company to ban the transport of “electric, hybrid and hydrogen cars on board,” Manager Magazin reports.
The corresponding notice can be found on Havila’s website: “We only allow cars for the entire route from Bergen to Kirkenes or from Kirkenes to Bergen, not from individual ports. The car must not be longer than 5.2 meters, maximum 2, 25 meters wide and a maximum of 2.1 meters high. Electric, hybrid and hydrogen cars are prohibited on board the ship.”
The reason given by Havila boss Brent Martini to the shipping news service “Trade Winds” is safety concerns. A possible fire in an electric, hybrid and hydrogen car would mean a costly rescue operation and was therefore not manageable for the team. In the case of private vehicles with a conventional fossil drive, there is no risk of fire.
No risk of fire with fossil fuel
The reason for the decision was probably the spectacular fire on the car transport ship “Felicity Ace” almost a year ago. The ship carried thousands of luxury cars, some electric with lithium-ion batteries. The ship initially drifted off the coast of the Portuguese Azores, unable to maneuver. Then it sank with all the Porsches, Audis and Bentleys on board. Today it lies at a depth of 3000 meters on the seabed. The 22 crew members were evacuated. According to the captain, lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicles caused the fire. Because the necessary special equipment was missing, it might not be extinguished, it was said.
Die International Maritime Organisation (IMO) responded with stricter fire protection regulations worldwide. In the future, new freighters will be equipped with heat detectors and video surveillance as standard, and old ones will be retrofitted. The ships have their own large battery packs on board – but in fireproof extra rooms. This does not seem to be a solution for battery-powered vehicles on board.
The ships of the Havila and Hurtigruten fleets are a common means of transport not only for tourists, but also for the locals – cars are often taken along. Transport is inexpensive for Norwegian citizens and saves a lot of time because the waterway is the more direct connection between places along the rugged coastline. Norway has pushed the e-revolution with high perks in recent years. The country can afford the high subsidies because the oil deposits off the coast flush a lot of money into the state coffers. 80 percent of new cars were recently electric cars. For the Norwegians, the ban will mean a change.
