Japan's IHI Corporation to launch the world's first large battery powered ferry
Japanese heavy machinery manufacturer IHI Corporation is launching the world's first large ferry to run on electricity from on-board rechargeable batteries.
A company spokesman told the press that an IHI Corp subsidiary has completed a basic design for a 30 metre long ferry that can carry 800 passengers, powered by rechargeable batteries.
He said that while smaller battery-run vessels are already in operation, IHI's ferry would be the “world's first large plug-in vessel”.
“It would emit no carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide. We also aim to slash fuel costs,” he said.
According to him, the ferry would be able to cruise some 120 kilometres on a charge of six to eight hours.
The subsidiary responsible for the innovation – IHI Marine United – plans to launch the ferry in 2015, when high-performance rechargeable batteries will apparently be available at a lower cost.
A company spokesman told the press that an IHI Corp subsidiary has completed a basic design for a 30 metre long ferry that can carry 800 passengers, powered by rechargeable batteries.
He said that while smaller battery-run vessels are already in operation, IHI's ferry would be the “world's first large plug-in vessel”.
“It would emit no carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide. We also aim to slash fuel costs,” he said.
According to him, the ferry would be able to cruise some 120 kilometres on a charge of six to eight hours.
The subsidiary responsible for the innovation – IHI Marine United – plans to launch the ferry in 2015, when high-performance rechargeable batteries will apparently be available at a lower cost.