Citing fire risk, barge line will stop carrying EVs to Southeast

Alaska Marine Lines will stop carrying electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles aboard its freight barges to Southeast Alaska as of Sept. 1, due to safety concerns.

The change doesn’t apply to hybrid vehicles that don’t plug in, according to an Aug. 12 announcement from the barge line. The decision is due to “the increased complexity and fire risk associated with shipping large lithium-ion batteries on vessels at sea.”

“While issues with lithium-ion batteries are infrequent, the inability to extinguish or contain this type of fire, especially while at sea, can lead to catastrophic results,” the co...