On the occasion of the 161st anniversary, the Thailand Marine Department will float the country’s first electric ferry, named the BanpuNext e-Ferry, which will be a part towards the effort to reduce pollution.
It will soon start trial runs in Phuket and have a fleet of solar-powered boats running by 2021.
Wittaya Yamuang, Director General, Thailand Marine Department, said: “By 2021, there should be up to 30 ferries providing service in the first phase before it expands to 200 ferries in three to four years.”
"The e-ferry is cost-effective because it is made of aluminium and with lower fuel and maintenance cost; the fares will also be cheaper.”
The Bangkok Marine Department worked with Kasetsart University to study and build the 100 seat passenger ferry with an electric powered engine to reduce city pollution. The test vessel is constructed from aluminium can travel 60 kilometres between charges. More tests are to be conducted in line with the department’s safety standards to assess the viability and practicality of the new boats before they are introduced to the city’s klongs.
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