Looks like the future of ferries is about to get shockingly good! With electric cars already gaining popularity and airlines testing electric planes, battery-powered ferries are the next big thing in transit.
Destinations are eager for cleaner energy options and see electrified transportation as a fast solution. About a quarter of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, with ships responsible for nearly three percent of that, adding up to about a billion metric tons of CO2 per year.
Although there are concerns about the environmental impact of battery production and disposal, electric propulsion for marine vessels is usually more environmentally friendly than relying on combustion engines, which can be a real gas-guzzler.
Where can we expect to see electric ferries?
Europe has taken the lead in the e-ferry revolution, particularly in Scandinavia, which is already the world’s top consumer of electric cars. Norway has the most extensive e-ferry landscape, with over 50 electric ferries, including the world’s largest all-electric passenger and car ferry.
Other countries like Northern Ireland, Lisbon, Bangkok, and India, are also leading the way in electrified fleets. In the United States, tourist ferries in popular spots like Alcatraz Island and Niagara Falls have already gone electric, with more on the way. Next year, an e-ferry will run between Tiburon and Angel Island in California, and NYC plans to launch one between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Electric ferries are making a splash in the transportation industry, proving you can still enjoy your time on the water without resorting to gas.
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