Bangkok expands electric passenger ferry fleet

The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) has officially commissioned twelve new zero-emission, all-electric commuter ferries as part of a citywide plan to reduce traffic and emissions.

The 47.5 ft fibreglass vessels are powered by an integrated battery-electric propulsion system supplied by Torqeedo. They will augment the existing fleet of seven Torqeedo-powered electric boats introduced into service in December 2020.

The MariArt Shipyard outfitted each of the vessels with twin Torqeedo Cruise 10.0 kW electric outboards, four Power 48-5000 lithium batteries, and four fast chargers, replacing the original diesel outboards.

With a capacity of 30 passengers each, it’s said the electric vessels will enable the BMA to extend its daily commuter service to the inner-city. A portion of the fleet will operate in urban waterways connecting the Chao Praya River to Prachinburi province via a 72-km canal that passes through 21 districts.

“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,” says Joe MacDonald, sales manager at Torqeedo Asia Pacific Ltd. “The electric commuter ferries will be part of an interconnected electrified transportation network that also includes electric buses, monorail train and the conversion of hundreds of Bangkok’s iconic three-wheeled tuk-tuk taxis.”

Dr Michael Rummel, managing director of Torqeedo, comments: “Thailand is making impressive strides toward easing traffic congestion by moving commuters from the roadways onto the waterways and at the same time dramatically reducing air pollution. Bangkok is joining the growing number of major urban centres around the globe that are harnessing electromobility technology to combat global warming.”