The UK’s First Fully Electric Domestic Passenger Ferry led by Plymouth Boat Trips
Aiming to collect, refine and advance knowledge on operating an electric ferry within Plymouth Sound, the project consortium created the UK’s first, sea going, electric passenger vessel, e-Voyager.
The project brought together a range of expertise including boat builders, electrical engineers, ferry operators and academic institutes, aimed at advancing skills and de-carbonising the maritime sector.
The new green boat was set to launch in October 2020, mirroring Plymouth Boat Trips’ existing ferry routes, including Cremyll Ferry, a busy commuter connection between Cornwall and Plymouth.
The vessel has operated throughout Plymouth Sound and has demonstrated the ability of the system to be an effective and viable solution for zero carbon operation for the under 24m commercial vessel sector.
The project kickstarted the development of new rules and regulations for novel propulsion systems in smaller vessels, with Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Bureau Veritas, to enable under 24m fully electric commercial vessels to be converted or built.
The output of the project is being used to help the design of a much larger 250 passenger vessel and is being utilised in a new retro conversion of a 63 passenger PBT ferry.