Any problems with pedelecs on ferries?

[Galactic]

Just wondering what experience people have with taking their e-bikes on international ferries, eg pointed questions from crew, refusal to carry, demands to take battery up to cabin etc?

I have a nightmare of rocking up to the ferry to Norway (from Kiel or Hirtshals, haven't decided yet) and them saying, "You can't bring that battery on our car deck!" I've gone through the T&Cs and found nothing relevant and I don't particularly want to ask them because that might give them ideas given all the media coverage of exploding batteries burning people out of house and home etc.

My bike is a Yose conversion with a huge battery on the downtube and lots of wiring strapped to the frame with cable binders, so it's not exactly a stealth e-bike.

Ta.

[Navrig]

Ask them. They will be fully aware of the situation with large batteries.

[simonhill]

I've taken a few cross channel ferries in say last 5 years and a few in far-flung places and no questions about e-bikes (as generally known in UK) on ticketing or by staff. After all they take e-cars.

I am regularly asked if flying.

My only concern would be that it could look an IED if lots of wires, etc.

At least if you ask and are refused you'll be at home rather than standing dockside.

[Thehairs1970]

Idk but surely not. Cars have batteries, sometimes lithium. Electric cars are allowed. I think a fire in a non-charging, non-discharging battery is so unlikely that they won’t worry. But I agree, ask.

[st599_uk]

Idk but surely not. Cars have batteries, sometimes lithium. Electric cars are allowed. I think a fire in a non-charging, non-discharging battery is so unlikely that they won’t worry. But I agree, ask.

They do worry as there was a ferry in Greece which had a Lithium ion fire that they couldn't put out and on on a Scandinavian ferry in a home made electric car.

I carry large house brick sized camera batteries all the time - the battery comes with a test certificate that allows carriage. You should be able to download similar from your bike manufacturer.

[andrew_s]

My bike is a Yose conversion with a huge battery on the downtube and lots of wiring strapped to the frame with cable binders, so it's not exactly a stealth e-bike.

I'd expect that an obvious conversion will be much more likely to be queried or disallowed than an off the shelf e-bike of a regular brand.

[Thehairs1970]

I stand corrected. I do remember a to programme about the Greek ferry. There were two fires I think. But I didn’t hint the cause of either had been finally determined.

[Galactic]

At least if you ask and are refused you'll be at home rather than standing dockside.

I think this wins the best answer so far.

Thanks for the comments, those of you who have suggested to just ask are right in that only the ferry company can tell me where they stand, although on the day showing an email from the helpdesk may not be enough if one of the crew is in a bad mood.

At least there haven't been a flood of replies saying "yes, I had problems" similar to the penknife confiscations reported in the thread "Please Report Any Security Check Problems When Boarding Ferries ex UK" viewtopic.php?t=122907&start=75

I'd expect that an obvious conversion will be much more likely to be queried or disallowed than an off the shelf e-bike of a regular brand.

Yes, I'd do well to try and make the wiring as tidy and inconspicuous as possible before I board. If there wasn't so much of it I could run it along the brake/gear cable channels, but I'll still have a huge battery on the downtube.

[simonhill]

I think we may see a greater reluctance to carry lithium batteries in many guises in the future. In fact already happening eg with e-scooters on the Tube, etc.

Lots of house fires, OK normally due to charging. Reports of fires on airplanes from power banks - already restrictions on size and where you carry. Etc.

All add grist to the wheel of paranoia and paranoia often leads to over the top bans - and you can bet your life that (e)cyclist will more likely suffer than motorists.