Skip to main content

Asia's first hybrid electric ferry sets sail for cleaner sea travel

The Taiwanese harbour city of Kaohsiung has launched a new hybrid electric ferry, which it is claimed could revolutionise marine passenger transport across the region by curbing greenhouse and diesel emissions. The city recently re-launched the popular Cijian Island passenger ferry, retrofitted with a Visedo electric propulsion system, replacing the original diesel engine. If successful, the Kaohsiung City Government plans to retrofit the rest of its diesel fleet to help reduce pollution levels around Ta
February 3, 2017 Read time: 1 min
The Taiwanese harbour city of Kaohsiung has launched a new hybrid electric ferry, which it is claimed could revolutionise marine passenger transport across the region by curbing greenhouse and diesel emissions.

The city recently re-launched the popular Cijian Island passenger ferry, retrofitted with a Visedo electric propulsion system, replacing the original diesel engine. If successful, the Kaohsiung City Government plans to retrofit the rest of its diesel fleet to help reduce pollution levels around Taiwan’s largest harbour.

Finnish company Visedo, which manufactures electric drivetrains for marine vessels, commercial vehicles and heavy duty applications, retrofitted the 100-tonne, 23m-long vessel with an electric system to replace the original 300HP diesel engine. The powertrain was designed to ensure pure electric cruising for half the ferry’s operation time and, with fast shore charging, this pure electric percentage can be higher.

Related Content

  • July 16, 2019
    Proterra supplies battery-electric buses to Virginia
    Proterra is to supply battery-electric buses and charging stations to the Virginia Department of General Services in the US. Proterra says the contract allows transit agencies, universities and institutions to purchase its battery-electric buses and charging systems. Transit agencies from other US states can also utilise the contract to simplify the process of purchasing electric buses, the company adds. Ryan Popple, Proterra CEO, says: “We can be on a quicker path to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel
  • May 23, 2022
    Replace short car trips with e-bikes: report
    Relatively small changes of mode would have big knock-ons in CO2 savings, says Bike Adviser
  • March 21, 2013
    Electric public transport ‘to reduce Hong Kong’s emissions’
    Electric vehicle manufacture BYD has announced plans for electrifying Hong Kong’s public transport by replacing diesel buses and LPG taxis. Experts anticipate that this will reduce Hong Kong’s vehicle emissions nearly 5 per cent. The company has also unveiled plans to introduce the first fleet of 45 e6 electric taxis in the region later this year. BYD and its partners have already built and tested three charging stations in territory. The second batch of charging stations is expected to be set up before May
  • April 8, 2015
    Thales to implement signalling systems for Taiwan light rail
    The New Taipei City government has awarded Thales a US$18.5 million contract for the design and manufacture of signalling, communications and operational control centre (OCC) systems for the Danhai Light Rail Transit project, Taiwan’s second tramway line and one of the first tramway projects in Asia Pacific. Local Taiwan company China Steel, along with its subsidiaries United Steel Engineering and Construction and Taiwan Rolling Stock, will construct the project’s Phase 1 Corridors, including the Green M