BC Ferries Buying Four ‘Zero-emission’ Vessels
In addition to the six new hybrid electric “Island Class” vessels that BC Ferries put into service in the past five years, the agency is now ordering four new battery electric ferries to be used on small-volume and shorter routes. At the same time, the agency is also commissioning the building of the accompanying battery-charging infrastructure.
Washington State Ferries is in the process of preparing to request bids for hybrid electric ferries. The first newly-constructed hybrid boat in Washington is expected to be delivered in 2028. WSF head Steve Nevey recently told CNL2 that a second new hybrid might also be delivered in 2028.
BC Ferries, once a division of the provincial government, was converted in 2003 into a private provincial “Crown corporation.” The organization is run like a business, but is still backed by the government.
While Washington State Ferries is the largest ferry system in the U.S. with 21 car ferries (and no passenger-only ferries), BC Ferries has the largest fleet of vehicle ferry vessels (45) in the world, ranging from passenger-only water taxis to 358-car ferries.
