Electric Cars on Ferries: Can You Charge On Board? Rules by Operator
Can you charge an electric car on a ferry? What Brittany Ferries, Stena Line, CalMac and the Steam Packet say about onboard charging and damaged batteries.
📋 Essential Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✓Charge before you travel: none of the operators checked here allows onboard charging
- ✓Look up chargers at or near your departure port (Stena Line has chargers at Cairnryan and Holyhead)
- ✓Travelling with a damaged EV battery? Check the operator’s rules first: a safety certificate or disconnected battery may be required
- ✓Answer any electric-vehicle questions in the booking form
Can I charge my electric car on the ferry?
Not on the operators we have checked. Brittany Ferries says it is not possible to charge an electric or hybrid vehicle on board its ferries. Stena Line says it does not offer charging on board its vessels and recommends making sure your vehicle is sufficiently charged before you travel. CalMac says passengers cannot charge any type of electric vehicle on its ferries, including battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars, e-bikes and e-scooters. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company does not permit charging of electric vehicles on any of its vessels, including electric bicycles and scooters.
Charging before you sail
Plan to charge before you reach the port. Stena Line lists chargers at the port at Cairnryan and Holyhead, and charging points close to its other ports on its website. Brittany Ferries points travellers to its port guides for charging points near its ferry ports.
Damaged batteries, e-bikes and e-scooters
Operators restrict vehicles with damaged batteries. CalMac will not ship an electric vehicle with suspected damage to the battery compartment unless the battery is removed or it is certified as safe for transport at sea. The Steam Packet requires damaged electric vehicles to have all batteries disconnected, with a certificate from a competent person confirming the vehicle is safe to travel. On CalMac, e-bikes and e-scooters can only be shipped on the vehicle decks.
Electric vehicles: onboard charging by operator
From each operator’s own website (checked 2 October 2026).
| Operator | Charge on board? | Other EV rules |
|---|---|---|
| Brittany Ferries | No | Port guides list charging points near its ports |
| Stena Line | No | Chargers at the port at Cairnryan and Holyhead; charge before you travel |
| CalMac | No (includes e-bikes, e-scooters and PHEVs) | No shipping with a damaged battery unless removed or certified safe; e-bikes and e-scooters on vehicle decks only |
| Isle of Man Steam Packet | No (includes e-bikes and scooters) | Damaged EVs need batteries disconnected and a safety certificate |
Checked 2026-10-02 against: Brittany Ferries: EV charging on board · Stena Line: charging on board · Stena Line: chargers at the port · CalMac: electric vehicles on the ferry · Isle of Man Steam Packet: vehicle guidance. Policies change; confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you charge an electric car on a ferry?
Not with Brittany Ferries, Stena Line, CalMac or the Isle of Man Steam Packet, which all say charging is not available or not permitted on board (checked October 2026). Charge before you reach the port.
Can I take an electric car with a damaged battery on a ferry?
Only under conditions. CalMac will not ship it unless the battery is removed or certified safe for transport at sea, and the Steam Packet requires the batteries to be disconnected with a safety certificate.
Can I charge an e-bike or e-scooter on board?
Not with CalMac or the Isle of Man Steam Packet, which both include e-bikes and e-scooters in their no-charging rules.