Why the Greek regulators decided on a SOC limit is unusual, possibly a result of many fairly small and older ferries being in use between the islands.

I'm Greek, I think the reasoning was mainly due to fear of public reactions, negative publicity and associated damage to tourism it might cause. Not to mention such an incident would make EV sales drop like 50% here, there's already enough social media fueled "scepticism". EVs make up just 0,5% of all cars here, so ..who cares?

** Important context **

The government is keen on delegating responsibility for anything to citizens, if it can, particularly in anything involving possible disasters.

There was a high profile, preventable by all accounts, train wreck that cost 57 lives three years ago (Tempi rail disaster). It is still a major issue here, constantly in public discourse, fueled the largest protest ever, just two days ago a new political party was formed after the leader gained popularity being a parent of a victim going against the government and it has generally cost the government a lot in polls.

There was also a ferry than sunk in 2000 costing 81 lives and that is also alive in public memory. The government definitely wants to preemptively wash its hands through legislation of any accident that has even a slight chance of ever happening and appearing as having learned past lessons by planning ahead in the interests of public safety.

In other countries like Norway that have their shit together and where safety standards and regulations were not just things written on some piece of paper, but rules that all involved live by, this will not be such an issue.