Those who are planning a ferry trip to Greece with their electric car should pay attention to a rule that many travelers still do not know. On some routes between Italy and Greece, in fact, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids can only be boarded if the battery does not exceed 40 percent charge.
The restriction stems from legislation introduced by Greek maritime authorities to increase safety while transporting alternative fuel vehicles on board passenger ships.
Electric cars on ferries to Greece: the 40 percent rule
According to regulations applied on routes to Greece, electric cars and plug-in hybrids cannot be boarded if the battery exceeds 40 percent charge at the time of boarding.
The rule also appears in the travel conditions of some companies operating between Italy and Greece, such as Grimaldi Lines, and is applied on several routes to Greek ports.
In practice, if you arrive at the port with an overcharged battery, you may be refused boarding.
Before embarking, it is always useful to check some technical aspects of the vehicle. We have also prepared a comprehensive checklist on how to prepare an electric car before a ferry trip, with all the checks to be done before boarding.
The routes between Italy and Greece affected
The legislation affects ferries bound for Greek ports and may therefore affect many of the routes most used by Italians to reach the country.
Among the most popular destinations are:
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Corfu
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Igoumenitsa
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Cephalonia
These routes often depart from Italian ports such as Ancona, Bari, and Brindisi and are very busy, especially during the summer. Companies such as Ventouris Ferries also inform passengers of restrictions on alternative fuel vehicles.
Why there is a 40% limit
The limit is not accidental. The standard was introduced for safety reasons related to lithium batteries used in electric vehicles.
In the event of fire or overheating, these batteries can generate reactions that are difficult to manage in enclosed spaces such as a ship’s garage. Reducing the charge level also means reducing the energy stored in the battery, decreasing the potential risks during the crossing.
The 40 percent threshold is considered sufficient to allow embarkation and disembarkation maneuvers without maintaining an excessive amount of energy in the battery.
Not just electric cars: the other limitations
Electric cars are not the only ones subject to restrictions. On ferries bound for Greece, there are other rules as well:
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LPG-fueled vehicles shall not have the tank over 50% of capacity
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vehicles with battery or power system problems may be rejected
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The final decision on boarding always rests with the ship’s captain
These measures are part of the Greek regulations on the transportation of alternative fuel vehicles on passenger and freight ferries. Be careful even if you are traveling with a fuel vehicle, such as gasoline and diesel, in any case it is always good to be informed. If you are interested, you might also read our article of useful tips on proper procedures for boarding cars on ferries.
What to check before embarking on an electric car
To avoid problems at the port, it is advisable to do some verification before departure.
Before boarding the ferry, it is helpful:
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Check that the battery is below 40%
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Avoid recharging the car just before boarding
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check the conditions of the shipping company
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Get to the port well in advance.
Small precautions that can avoid nasty surprises when boarding.
No restrictions on ferries between Italian ports
The 40 percent rule applies to connections with Greece, but does not apply to ferries operating exclusively in Italy.
Therefore, those traveling to Italian destinations do not have to comply with this restriction. There are no special restrictions, for example, for ferries bound for:
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Sardinia
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Sicily
In these cases, companies do not provide specific limits for the charge level of electric cars.
A rule to know before you go
The number of electric cars on the road has increased, and the issue of safety on board ferries has become more important. If you are planning a trip to Greece with your own electric car, the easiest thing to do is to check the battery level before arriving at the port. In fact, a battery that is too full could prevent you from boarding the ferry and complicate the departure of your vacation.
