It has now been decided that the third river shuttle purchased for commuter services across the Göta Älv river will be an electric hybrid that runs on both electricity and conventional fuel.
The ferry will be delivered in autumn 2018 and come into service when the timetable changes in December, if everything goes according to plan. It will then operate the route between Stenpiren and Lindholmspiren, alongside its sister vessels Älveli and Älvfrida.
The ferry service across the river has been a success since its launch and passenger numbers continue to rise. With the new ferry, Västtrafik will be able to operate a ferry every five minutes during rush hour instead of the current frequency of every seven minutes, a much-needed enhancement of the service.
Runs on electricity for four hours
As the shuttle only stops for a few minutes on each side of the river, it is unable to recharge during service operation and therefore needs to run on other fuel when the batteries run down. The ferry can operate for around four hours on a charge. When the battery has run down, it can be charged during operation or with electricity at the quayside.
Major environmental benefits
The new river shuttle reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, nitric oxides and particles by a third. The batteries are charged using renewable electricity from wind and water power. If the technology is successful, there will be more electricity in the future. Älveli and Älvfrida are also ready for electrical operation.
Facts
- 33 metres long
- 9 metres wide
- Space for 298 passengers and 80 bicycles
- Each end is similar so it never needs to turn around in order to dock