Government commits $27m for electric ferries
The Government has confirmed Auckland will receive its first electric ferries by 2024.
Minister of Energy and Resources Megan Woods made the announcement outside the city’s downtown ferry terminal yesterday.
The electric ferries will be 200-seat vessels, which have been under development for nearly three years by Auckland-based EV Maritime – an offshoot of boat builder McMullen and Wing.
Woods confirmed $27 million of funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to cover most of the costs – approximately 75% of constructing the two electric ferries.
‘‘This project will be a major boost to the rapidly developing maritime clean technology sector in New Zealand and will further upskill the maritime transport sector in New Zealand,’’ Woods said.
‘‘This is a boost for our climate goals and our economy, which is especially vital as we continue our economic recovery from Covid-19.’’
Auckland’s ageing ferry fleet accounts for nearly 7% of the city’s public transport journeys, but produces 20.5% of all public transport emissions in the city.
The council has committed the city to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, needing a 64% cut in transport emissions.
Woods said Auckland Transport would own and operate the new ferries.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw said that with announcement, the Government had taken ‘‘another important step on the journey’’ to a low emissions future.
‘‘As a harbour city, getting around by ferry is the norm for many thousands of Aucklanders,’’ Shaw said.
‘‘Today’s announcement means that instead of fossil fuels powering many of those journeys, people will be getting around in ways that help create a climatefriendly, prosperous future for New Zealand.’’
The carbon fibre, hi-tech ferries which EV Maritime has been developing have a range suitable for Auckland’s inner and mid-harbour routes, as far out as Hobsonville Point and Half Moon Bay.