Viewpoint: Find solution to non-operational EV transport on ferries

The following letter was send to BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez, B.C. Premier David Eby and others, and shared with the Driftwood.

By ASHLEY AND WENDY HILLIARD

Regarding BC Ferries’ recent rule prohibiting transport of non-operational EV: We are EV owners living on Salt Spring Island. We bought our EV, a Volkswagen E-Golf, in 2021. It has been an excellent vehicle.

However, we were alarmed to learn this past summer that BC Ferries will no longer allow towing companies to transport non-operational EVs on its sailings.

This presents a major problem for owners like us, should our vehicle break down and need service in Victoria (where we bought it) or on the Lower Mainland. We risk the vehicle becoming worthless, should it become non-drivable, even if the cause of the problem is minor.

We understand the prohibition was in response to a Transport Canada bulletin regarding the safe transport of EVs on ferries. We understand the need for safety, but BC Ferries, Transport Canada and the government of B.C. must work something out to enable the transport, by licensed towing companies, of non-operational EVs on at least some BC Ferries sailings.

The automobile companies should be involved as they have a significant stake in the matter as well. Also, they have expertise to help quantify the actual risk of a fire from a non-operational EV.

We note that Transport Canada issued a bulletin on Oct. 6, 2025, reinforcing the government of Canada’s target of achieving 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 for all new light-duty vehicles, including interim targets of at least 20 per cent by 2026 and at least 60 per cent by 2030, as announced in Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

In B.C., the target of 100 per cent ZEVs by 2035 is mandated by law: the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act (ZEV Act) passed in 2019.

So, on the one hand, both levels of government are promoting/mandating EV sales, yet on the other hand, a rule has been put in place that makes it foolish for someone like us, located on an island and reliant on BC Ferries as our “maritime highway,” to own an EV. This affects EV owners in B.C. who live or travel to Vancouver Island as well.

It is therefore essential that a practical way to transport damaged EVs on BC Ferries be developed. Transport Canada and the B.C. government must work this out with BC Ferries if they are serious about their ZEV targets.

Surely, there could be rules and appropriate safety measures put in place, short of an outright ban. For example, a requirement that the vehicle must have been in its non-operational state for 14 days, say, with no fire outbreak. If the vehicle has been stable for 14 days, then it ought to be OK for a short ferry trip. There could be certain designated sailings for these vehicles.

We would agree that only licensed towing companies or other dangerous goods operators should be allowed to transport damaged EVs on ferries. No private towing. But give us some way to get our vehicles to a service centre in Victoria or the Lower Mainland.

We are doing our part to achieve the federal and B.C. government’s policy of “greening” our transportation system. Now please help us out. We look forward to your response.