Dear Minister Kikilias and Greek Ferry Operators, the April 2024 rule capping electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid battery charges at 40% on Greek ferries is outdated, unfair, and risks chaos. We demand its repeal or revision to align with global progress and Greece’s green goals.

Why it's a problem:
Greece lags behind: This rule presents significant challenges for EV owners like myself who rely on the ability to charge our vehicles adequately during long trips. Currently, other countries are advancing in support of EVs:

• Norway’s Color Line and Fjord1 ferries facilitate onboard charging on routes like Oslo-Frederikshavn, encouraging battery levels above 80%.
• In Canada, BC Ferries supports EV owners by providing 22 kW onboard charging stations.
• UK’s P&O Ferries equips ships like Pioneer and Liberté with 22 kW AC and 32 kW DC CCS chargers on Dover-Calais routes, and Pride of Hull offers 16A single-phase charging for overnight crossings to Rotterdam.
• Ireland’s Irish Ferries provides 3.7 kW chargers on Dublin-Cherbourg routes.

These progressive regulations and ferry operators not only cater to consumer needs but also play a crucial role in achieving environmental goals by supporting cleaner modes of transport.

Greece, with ~2,000 public chargers, forces EV drivers to struggle at 40%, stranding tourists on islands with scarce infrastructure. 
 
Risk of mayhem: Meanwhile, Greece's stance is not only falling behind these global standards but also risks significant chaos during travel. Not being able to charge efficiently limits the feasibility of using EVs, directly contradicting Greece's own green energy initiatives and hindering efforts to promote sustainable tourism. EVs at 40% risk depleting on long routes like Piraeus-Chania, especially with delays or air conditioning. Low batteries can block ferry ramps, delay sailings, or strand drivers on islands with low EV infrastructure, creating safety and logistical chaos.

Misguided Safety Fears: ICE vehicles, allowed with full tanks, carry 10-15x more combustible energy (500-750 kWh for 50-75L gasoline vs. ~50 kWh for an EV battery). Swedish data (2022) shows ICE vehicles are 20x more likely to catch fire (0.08% vs. 0.004% for EVs). US data (2021) shows ICE vehicles have 1,530 fires per 100,000 cars, hybrids 3,475/100,000, and EVs only 25/100,000—a 60x lower risk for EVs.  The Fremantle Highway fire (2023, North Sea) wasn’t proven EV-related, with the vast majority of EVs recovered intact while 2000 ICE cars were totalled by fire, yet Greece penalizes EVs while ignoring ICE risks. 
 

Our Demands:

• Repeal the 40% limit or raise it to 80%, matching global standards.
• Install EV chargers on ferries and expand island charging to support Greece’s 2030 goal (1 in 3 vehicles electric).
• Train ferry crews on EV fire response, as Norway does, instead of restrictive caps.

This rule undermines Greece’s €6,000 EV subsidies and green projects like e-Astypalea. Don’t let fear stifle sustainable tourism. Sign to demand fair, forward-thinking ferry policies!

Sign this petition to stand with us in calling for a forward-thinking approach that embraces clean technology, aligns with international progress, and supports Greece’s green goals.