Ferries still play an integral role in many people’s daily commutes. In cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and New York, ferries are iconic additions to local waterways. In the city of Fynshav in southern Denmark, one of the ferries which departs across the Baltic Sea is a little different: it’s powered by electricity, not diesel.
The “Ellen” is a 60m long emission-free vessel and can sail 22 nautical miles with up to 200 passengers and 30 cars onboard on one charge. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions by 2,000 tons a year, the ship is also quieter and has none of the exhaust smoke usually associated with ferry transport.
“Ellen” is the largest electric ferry in the world and is powered by 840 lithium-ion batteries. When it reaches its destination on the island of Ærø, it is recharged with the help of wind power and is ready for another voyage in 25 minutes.
The ship is about 40 percent more expensive than conventional ferries, but its creators say it is economically sustainable and global implementation would help reduce the 3 percent of global CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions caused by shipping. The technology is good news for the future of green transportation and with lighter materials and improved battery technology, we will likely see more and more electric ships cropping up in our waterways.
