Ferry operator Wightlink has confirmed it is looking to commission brand new, all-electric ferries for its cross-Solent routes. The news comes following a visit to its Portsmouth Gunwharf terminal by Maritime Minister Lord Davies earlier this week. The Minister and Department for Transport officials toured Wightlink’s ferry St Clare and met the crew on the bridge, hearing details of the company’s vision to reach net zero carbon emissions as soon as possible through powering its fleet with sustainable energy. Wightlink already operates England’s first hybrid energy vehicle ferry, Victoria of Wight, which entered service in 2018. It uses both powerful batteries and conventional diesel generators as it sails between Portsmouth and Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight. 
It has now been revealed that the company is ambitious to build all-electric ferries, with zero carbon emissions, once shore power can be supplied to recharge the batteries after every crossing. It’s thought the company is in discussions with the Department for Transport on how the power can be secured to unlock the net zero target. Keith Greenfield, Chief Executive of Wightlink, says:
“The Minister was interested to hear about our plans for the future of our fleet. We are excited at the prospect of reaching net zero and are ready to commission new ferries once we are assured that electricity can be available at our ports. “Wightlink is currently installing solar panels to generate power from sunshine and more EV charging points. It is also ramping up its recycling programme and reducing food miles.”
It was on Thursday that news broke of competitor Red Funnel’s plans to replace its ageing Raptor-class ferries operating on the East Cowes-Southampton route. There is no word yet as to whether these will be electric, hybrid or diesel vessels.
Basically a floating hydrogen bomb what could possibly go wrong.
Think you’ll find that a hydrogen bomb is something very different.
They can’t get Victoria of Wight to work on it’s hybrid engines, so how do they expect to operate a new fleet of electric vessels…
Roll coal or bust, Im sure fossil fuel extremists will sabotage it by draining the batteries, via charging 1000 iPads on the journey.
Behest to my jest. We have no place to the future but when not is the way fortunately for us.
Cheaper fares are what we want, not expensive ferries.
And the result of cheaper fares will be old knackered boats crewed by crews paid less than minimum wage (which is what P&O have been accused of, via a legal loophole).
You have got be fucking jokeing…did they bring april fools day forward..how the hell is that going to work ..have you all seen ev’s going up in flames ..yes not on mainstream news because the government are pushing the netzero climate con…its a shit service now wait till that lot come..
Won’t want to be on that when it goes up in flames…
Because Wightlink never had fuel leaks before resulting in the boat bursting into flames seriously burning crew members, that has never happened before has is. Anyone who thinks diesel is safer is living in dreamland with their head in the sand. Stop listening to the oil shills and learn to think for yourselves.
Well I hope I’m not on the one which stops in the middle of the Solent because it has run out of juice. How many vehicles will they have to remove to take into account the heavy batteries?
What, you don’t know how boats work do you. That have to add ballast as it is, they will just add less. And you have no idea if they weight anymore. As you scale up electric vehicles get lighter and safer.
Will they be built on the Isle of Wight? Is this really a green initiative? Or just another moneyspinner?
no have’nt a big enough yard will be turkey..if it ever happens.
All good until out National Grid is targeted,no hospital,no schools,no work,no transport,no ferries,no flights, no banking,no home shopping or McDonald’s. Relying totally on electricity is not good given the current risks from Russia/China or North Korea . Hybrid or Hydrogen- yes.
I’m ready – cash, logs, generator, gas bottles, Invertors,solar ,joice of petrol/diesel car, bicycle.Water storage and allotment.
What could possibly go wrong.
Car battery fires, boat battery fires, battery malfunction with the boat floating off, loss of power. Will there be back ups?
Would your car insurance cover you on a all electric boat?
To be honest, I doubt if travellers care what is powering the ferries. All we want is something that arrives on time and takes us to our destination. Reliable, affordable travel.
Personally, I couldn’t care less if they ran on cooking oil or horse crap, just do the blinking job we are paying for, end of.
Won’t happen ..and no won’t be reliable or cheap..
Benchmark break-even fare price is what Cape May-Lewes charges in the US (that service is owned by the two states served, and doesn’t get any cross subsidy).
Only a little cheaper than what the IoW operators charge, but doesn’t have “peak” pricing
What about the fire risk from the batteries?
It’s a lower risk that diesel fuel. And because the extra space the boat gives they can use different chemistries that are significantly safer. There is a new battery tech that is now available that is so safe you can cut it half with an axe and nothing happens. They have videos of them drilling into the batteries and nothing happens.
Another progressive fantasy that will end in complete disaster, but don’t worry, the vast subsidies they will no doubt receive from the taxpayer to build these things will mean no need for the boats to actually work or offer a service – passengers can instead float across the Solent on a cloud of virtue
maybe then Amazon will be able to deliver batteries to the island…
Frying tonight as it grinds to a halt, mid Solent.
Investors will be leaving by the dozens,less money to fill their obscene over spilling bank accounts.Almost definitely in Overseas Accounts.
Stitch-up to see off opposition of Red Funnel and potentially create a monopoly. Massive equity injection which we will then end up subsidising with no choice or alternative. Worth pointing out the links here; David Pugh Associates have hands in Wightlink, he was Seely’s campaign manager, still heavily involved. Government lobbyists. He’s no more interested in green issues than any Tory. But selling it as such and nobbling RF…ker’ching.
Ooooo….a bigger floating bridge, yes lets! What could possibly go wrong.
Wightlink should investigate doing a joint procurement with Cape May-Lewes ferry (New Jersey to Delaware, US). They are also in the market for new boats
Similar boat profiles I think, certainly CMLF mission is pretty similar to Lymington/Yarmouth.
I see the oil shill trolls are out in force today.
Back end of last year Wightlink banned electric scooters, wonder why????
Nuclear is the way to go