World’s First Electric Ferry — With 10-Minute Recharge

The days of stinky, oil-burning, black smoke–producing ferry boats will be the days of yore if Norway has anything to say about it. The world’s first electric ferry will hit the open seas (well, not exactly) in 2015.

Image: Courtesy of Phys.org

The 360-passenger, 120-car electric ferry will be operated by shipping company Norled and traverse the Sognefjord fjord.

To allow for battery power, the ferry was made much lighter with aluminum hulls. The battery charges in 10 minutes, and can propel the ferry at 10 knots in normal weather conditions.

So, what’s the big deal about electric ferries? Well, there’s the possibility of easing parking and traffic via waterways and aqua-buses like those at the University of New England.

Electric ferries aren’t Norway’s only bread and butter: strong incentives have propelled EV sales to 5.2% in 2012.

Source: Inhabit