Bangkok boosts electric ferry fleet with twelve more boats
An electric ferry in Bangkok (Source: Torqeedo)
The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) has commissioned twelve new commuter ferries, adding to the seven integrated battery-electric boats, all powered by Germany’s Torqeedo propulsion systems.
The latest 14.5m-long fibreglass vessels, built at Thailand’s MariArt Shipyard, have twin Torqeedo Cruise 10-kW electric outboards, four Power 48-5000 lithium batteries and four fast chargers, replacing the original diesel outboards.
The new ferries have space for 30 passengers and will enable the BMA to expand its daily commuter service to the inner city. Some of the ferries will operate on schedules that link the Chao Praya river to Prachinburi province via a 72km-long canal that passes through 21 districts.
Joe MacDonald, Torqeedo Asia Pacific Ltd’s sales manager, commented: “With the expansion of the fleet of electric ferries, Bangkok is well on its way to achieving the ambitious goal of becoming the electric transportation capital of Asia. The electric commuter ferries will be part of an interconnected electrified transportation network that also includes electric buses, monorail trains and the conversion of hundredes of Bangkok’s iconic three-wheeled tuk-tuk taxis.”
The city is aiming to convert at least 30% of overall transportation to run on electricity by 2035, MacDonald said.
