EV Owners Frustrated as Samui Ferries Restrict EV Transport Over New Year Period

[Georgealbert]

 

 

File picture for reference only.

 

Electric vehicle (EV) owners planning to visit Koh Samui for the New Year holidays have been left disappointed following an announcement by Raja Ferry PLC that it will temporarily suspend ferry services for EVs due to safety concerns. The company cited risks associated with EV batteries, particularly the potential for overheating and fires, as the reason for the decision.

 

The announcement, first posted on the “Hia Kub Rod” Facebook page, has caused concern among EV owners both on Koh Samui and those planning to visit during the festive season. Raja Ferry stated that the suspension is intended to ensure the safety of passengers and their belongings, sparking uncertainty for EV users seeking alternatives to access the island.

 

In contrast, Seatran Ferry, another ferry operator servicing Koh Samui, continues to allow EVs onboard, albeit with additional precautions. Seatran Ferry requires EV owners to complete a detailed form acknowledging the risks associated with battery transportation. The company has also designated specific parking areas on its ferries for EVs to facilitate rapid response in case of emergencies.

 

The acknowledgment form includes a disclaimer stating:

 

“Passengers understand and accept the risks associated with transporting vehicles on the ferry, including potential damage to EVs. The company will only be held liable for incidents caused by negligence on the part of employees or representatives.”

 

EV owners who sign the form can board Seatran Ferries as usual, with their vehicles receiving extra monitoring by ferry staff.

 

Despite this option, Raja Ferry’s suspension has caused significant inconvenience, as it leaves only one operator available for EV transportation. This limited service is expected to result in longer wait times and congestion, particularly during the busy New Year period.

 

Tourism businesses on Koh Samui are bracing for a potential economic impact. With EV owners facing logistical challenges, some may opt to change their travel plans and visit other destinations, potentially leading to a decline in tourist revenue for the island during the peak holiday season.

 

-- 2024-12-10

 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

Brilliant stuff. You could not make this up.

Let's solve the world's problems with EV's said governments. 

Now, where's that bridge?

(I suspect that there are not enough charging points on the island either.)

[JonnyF]

No surprise.

 

Not only the fire risk but the weight. For the weight of 3 EV's they could take 4 ICE cars. Simple economics. 

[BKKBike09]

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Electric vehicle (EV) owners planning to visit Koh Samui for the New Year holidays have been left disappointed following an announcement by Raja Ferry PLC that it will temporarily suspend ferry services for EVs due to safety concerns.

 

Given Raja's track record, it's rich to see them highlighting 'safety concerns' associated with EVs ...

 

 

[KhunLA]

10 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Brilliant stuff. You could not make this up.

Let's solve the world's problems with EV's said governments. 

Now, where's that bridge?

(I suspect that there are not enough charging points either.)

Why would you need CSs, as the island is only about 80 kms round.  If you drove around the whole island 3 times, that's <250 kms, leaves at least about 100 kms reserve with most BEVs.

 

Just more silly anti EV ignorance by so many people, businesses.

 

Bridge is a great idea, since < 25 kms away, since they've had enough incidents on ferries that certainly didn't involve EVs.

 

If it wasn't such a tourist trap, I might even pop over for a visit, if a bridge was available.

[transam]

.............Blimey, the EV boy's will be crying and stomping on this one, I mean, EV's are so safe...........😂

[KhunLA]

30 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

No surprise.

 

Not only the fire risk but the weight. For the weight of 3 EV's they could take 4 ICE cars. Simple economics. 

Guess you should ban anything over 1600kg, all those big ICE SUV, 4x4s, that way more than most EVs.

 

Ours only weighs 1570kg

Raptor ... >2000kg

Fortuner ... 1,980 to 2,140 kg

Camry ... 1,665 kg

[kwak250]

Maybe they should have a ferry just for EV's 

You can pay extra due to the extra weight and the bonus is you can contain the fire risk

[gargamon]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Guess you should ban anything over 1600kg, all those big ICE SUV, 4x4s, that way more than most EVs.

 

Ours only weighs 1570kg

Raptor ... >2000kg

Fortuner ... 1,980 to 2,140 kg

Camry ... 1,665 kg

Stop trying to misdirect the topic. It's not about vehicle weight. It's about EV batteries and the fire risk. Almost impossible to put out. I can see them being banned on sone bridges too.

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Stop trying to misdirect the topic. It's not about vehicle weight. It's about EV batteries and the fire risk. Almost impossible to put out. I can see them being banned on sone bridges too.

The post I replied to was about weight 

 

Fairly obvious, but hey, troll on ... 😎

[gargamon]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

The post I replied to was about weight 

No. You quoted part of a post that said maybe weight in addition to the real fire risk could be a problem. 

[KhunLA]

1 minute ago, gargamon said:

No. You quoted part of a post that said maybe weight in addition to the real fire risk could be a problem. 

Keep spinning 

[quake]

Last thing you want on a ship is a fire.

You can't go over the road and watch it burn. 

[Tropicalevo]

39 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Why would you need CSs, as the island is only about 80 kms round.  If you drove around the whole island 3 times, that's <250 kms, leaves at least about 100 kms reserve with most BEVs.

 

Just more silly anti EV ignorance by so many people, businesses.

 

Bridge is a great idea, since < 25 kms away, since they've had enough incidents on ferries that certainly didn't involve EVs.

 

If it wasn't such a tourist trap, I might even pop over for a visit, if a bridge was available.

 Please try to understand the logistics.

Someone drives all of the way to Samui for a holiday. They will not drive the 700 kilometers from say Bangkok for a weekend visit during silly season.

Then they drive around the island for a week or two.

Then they have to drive back.

Most sensible people would want their vehicle topped up before they start a long journey.

Petrol, diesel, electricity - all same same, but we have lots of gas stations.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

And I though the way to go there is by plane. 

[Denim]

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The company has also designated specific parking areas on its ferries for EVs to facilitate rapid response in case of emergencies.

 

 

[KhunLA]

16 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 Please try to understand the logistics.

Someone drives all of the way to Samui for a holiday. They will not drive the 700 kilometers from say Bangkok for a weekend visit during silly season.

Then they drive around the island for a week or two.

Then they have to drive back.

Most sensible people would want their vehicle topped up before they start a long journey.

Petrol, diesel, electricity - all same same, but we have lots of gas stations.

 

And most sensible people would top up before getting on a ferry to an island.  It's not rocket science.   How many times do you plan on driving around the island.   

 

I drove around it once, boring as hell.

 

You have CS near the pier, and over where most people hang out on Samui.   With more than a few before you leave the mainland.

 

Along with the option to actually charge at your accommodations, if they allow.

 

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Raja Ferry’s suspension has caused significant inconvenience, as it leaves only one operator available for EV transportation.

So what?  Isn't it a private company that can impose its own rules and procedures?  

[JonnyF]

31 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Guess you should ban anything over 1600kg, all those big ICE SUV, 4x4s, that way more than most EVs.

 

Ours only weighs 1570kg

Raptor ... >2000kg

Fortuner ... 1,980 to 2,140 kg

Camry ... 1,665 kg

 

Apples and oranges.

 

Why not compare a Cybertruck to a Honda Jazz?

 

Like for like, EV's are heavier than ICE and the ferries have a weight limit.

 

Plus the fire risk, salt water and EV's don't get on too well. 

[KhunLA]

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Apples and oranges.

 

Why not compare a Cybertruck to a Honda Jazz?

 

Like for like, EV's are heavier than ICE and the ferries have a weight limit.

 

Plus the fire risk, salt water and EV's don't get on too well. 

Maybe they should ban fat people also.

 

Apples for Apples ... our MG ZS vs Camry.   What's the problem ?

 

Salt water ... really ?   Guess I should stop driving along the surfside road, as there's quite a spray this time of year, as it slams against the sea wall.  Actually I avoid that no matter what I used to drive.

 

I road my E-MC in the rain, and live to tell about it 

 

Got to avoid those speed bumps & pot holes, as I read on AN, BEVs blow up when driving over 

 

AN & MSM ... great comic relief

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

No surprise.

 

Not only the fire risk but the weight. For the weight of 3 EV's they could take 4 ICE cars. Simple economics. 

Simple logistics suggests that wouldn't be the case as EVs are, on average, only 10-15% heavier than comparable ICE-engined vehicles.

[Liverpool Lou]

29 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Apples and oranges.

 

Why not compare a Cybertruck to a Honda Jazz?

 

Like for like, EV's are heavier than ICE and the ferries have a weight limit.

 

Plus the fire risk, salt water and EV's don't get on too well. 

EVs (or any other vehicles, come to that) do not come into contact with salt water on these ferries.

[JonnyF]

14 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Simple logistics suggests that wouldn't be the case as EVs are, on average, only 10-15% heavier than comparable ICE-engined vehicles.

 

[JonnyF]

12 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

EVs (or any other vehicles, come to that) do not come into contact with salt water on these ferries.

 

Depends on conditions.

 

[JonnyF]

38 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Maybe they should ban fat people also.

 

Banning is a little harsh, a surplus charge would be better (on planes) like they do with luggage, but probably not necessary on ferries.

 

38 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

Apples for Apples ... our MG ZS vs Camry.   What's the problem ?

 

One is a small car and one is a large car. 

 

38 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

Salt water ... really ?   Guess I should stop driving along the surfside road, as there's quite a spray this time of year, as it slams against the sea wall.  Actually I avoid that no matter what I used to drive.

 

I road my E-MC in the rain, and live to tell about it 

 

That's up to you. But you shouldn't impose the risk assocaiated with your poor choice of vehicle onto others. 

 

38 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

Got to avoid those speed bumps & pot holes, as I read on AN, BEVs blow up when driving over 

 

In many cases it's the EV that create the bumps and potholes due to all that weight. 

 

38 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

AN & MSM ... great comic relief

 

As is your defense of this flawed technology. 

[Liverpool Lou]

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

If EVs were significantly heavier than ICE cars, then perhaps that comment could be worth exploring. However, my previous checks have shown they aren’t all that much heavier.

It would seem though that this idea has been growing in the general media and is now being used as a put-down of EVs. As such, it is probably time I put this myth to bed in a more researched fashion. Below is a selection of some common full-electric vehicles that also have full internal combustion engine (ICE) equivalents.

ICE and BEV mass in equivalent models (Data: manufacturer specification sheets)

As shown by the above table, full electric versions are only around 10% to 15% heavier than their direct ICE equivalent. This could hardly be described as a ‘massive’ difference.

[Liverpool Lou]

13 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Depends on conditions.

 

Showing a Thai ferry (or even the ferry in question) would have made more sense!

[Celsius]

A lot of posters here like to brag owning these lemons 

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Showing a Thai ferry would have made more sense.

 

How about a Samui one?

 

[JonnyF]

5 minutes ago, Celsius said:

A lot of posters here like to brag owning these lemons