This (rule #4) presents a problem especially for those on the Gulf Islands...Just how do you get your EV in for service if it is disabled? “[We handle] between two and four a week,” said Johnathan Vipond, owner of Salt Spring Island Towing. There’s no way for me to tow it over on a flat bed tow truck because their wording stated that if it is inoperable — which is going to be on a tow truck — I can’t take it onboard their vessels,” said Vipond. The problem is they put something in place that all of these vehicles are already on the Gulf Islands — and there are a lot of them — they need to have means to get repaired,” We probably handle 10 to 15 EVs a day,” said Don Affleck, owner of Peninsula Towing. Vipond says he is worried that EVs will eventually combust on Salt Spring Island, damaging properties or causing wildfires." Video here from chek NEWS: Transport Canada change forces BC Ferries to prohibit damaged EVs
Can they be transported on a barge or large, salt water, pontoon boat? The reason I ask is we have a lot of river barge traffic on the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. Are there no barges in your area? Perhaps a tug or tow boat outfit might have one or know where to get one. There are credible risks with EV batteries and there is no good way to manage a runaway battery on a boat. They are hard enough to handle on the road. But on a barge with no passengers, not so much of a problem. Not as convenient as a ferry but mitigates the risk ... for now. Bob Wilson
I guess that is the only option now. This latest from Times Colonist: "Vipond said he hopes he can work with the company to find a way to safely transport damaged EVs, since there’s no way to dispose of totalled cars on Salt Spring Island, adding that his request to bring them aboard designated dangerous goods sailings was denied. Dan Bird, general manager of Totem Towing, said the change will be especially difficult for those who own Rivian trucks and SUVs, a popular brand of EV that doesn’t have a dealership on Vancouver Island. It’s going to be very frustrating for our customers,” he said, adding that a Rivian vehicle with any issues must be towed to Vancouver for servicing." So this would open a business opportunity I suppose; Software development and website coordinating between several companies/variances including: (1) Dealer (repair center) scheduling a repair time/slot and or storage. (2) Coordinate schedule with Tow truck to pick up and drop off at boat ramp at departure point. (3) Coordinate schedule with landing craft (Tug company). (4) Coordinate schedule with pick up Tow truck at arrival destination (5) The unpredictable weather, tide levels and public boat ramp access times (wait in line) will both have a major bearing on scheduling as well. Further research to establish this as a business opportunity; the number of EVs on the gulf islands and /or including Vancouver island can be found here (ICBC) also Transport Canada here. Anyone up for a challenge? Images courtesy of Gulf Island Tug
I suppose they could be carried by a logging cargo helicopter. Just make sure they do a low pass over the ‘rule maker.’ Bob Wilson
