Electric ferry retrofit

The 23m vessel, named Movitz, can carry 100 passengers and will run for an hour on just ten minutes of supercharging. The vessel is currently being retrofitted and will be in operation on a central route between Solna Strand and Gamla Stan in Stockholm by August 2014.

CEO, Magnus Eriksson, from Swedish propulsion expert Echandia Marine, said: “It is an exciting development that will save boat operators money as well as reducing air and noise pollution and make ferry travel cleaner and more pleasant for passengers and city dwellers alike. Running costs for ship operators are expected to be up to 30% lower than for a conventional ferry and there is almost no need for maintenance.”

The company is developing the boat’s innovative propulsion system and charging station technology and is suitable for both newbuilds and refits, a company founded with the mission to bring Swedish submarine technology to the surface. The project is supported by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Movitz will have two 125 kW electric motors placed outside the hull in so called “PODs”. The boat will be powered by super-advanced Nickel-Metal-Hydrid (NiMH) 180 kWh batteries from the Swedish company Nilar.

NiMH batteries deliver high power instantly and can be charged very quickly. The ferry is estimated to need 90 kW of power to cruise at 9 knots.