Elettrification of navigation

Public transport is not only about roads, but in certain contexts also about water. Within the framework of the Interreg IT-CH Mobster project Eurac Research examined the potential of electric ferries to reduce emissions in Italian lakes, focusing on the case study of Lake Orta, currently served by three boats.

The researchers analysed boat models on the market, and developed a model to determine the minimum number of electric vessels needed to completely replace diesel ferry fleets. Using real data from electric ship manufacturers, the model revealed the crucial importance of the charging infrastructure and proposed optimal scenarios.