https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/the-city-of-lights-will-be-a-lighthouse-for-electric-mobility-on-the-water/
The City of Lights will be a lighthouse for electric mobility on the water
22/01/2019
The Seine may soon be the world’s greenest river and Paris boat
operators are leading the way.
The City of Paris has set ambitious goals to improve air quality and
reduce the city’s carbon footprint in conjunction with the upcoming
Olympic Games in 2024. Dubbed “Green Paris”, these goals will, in large
part, be reached through transitioning to clean electric mobility.
In his position as President of Communauté Portuaire de Paris (CPP),
Olivier Jamey launched a study to explore bringing the Green Paris
movement to the River Seine, the iconic river that divides the city and
serves as an important commercial and recreational resource for its
people. Torqeedo, the world leader in marine electric mobility, is one
of the partners in the study and in the future electrification of the
River Seine fleet. The study is supported by public subsidies from the
national and regional governments.
“The Communaute Portuaire de Paris represents Paris’ boat operators, who
fully understand the need to reduce the carbon impact of our operations.
We started the study to understand the regulations, equipment,
infrastructure, technologies and costs which are necessary to refit the
fleet of Paris to electric motors. We are evaluating each use case:
boats that are used for sightseeing, restaurants, private events, or
freight transport have different requirements and need a propulsion
solution that meets those specific needs. We are proceeding step-by-step
to evaluate the economics, the available technology and how to make the
most rapid gains. Hydrogen shows great potential, for instance, but
needs time to become a local reality.”
More than 200 boats ply the 13 km section of the Seine that flows
through Paris. The Seine at large represents 50% of the total inland
river traffic in France and 80% of the passenger-boats activity. The
intensive use means a significant reduction in the city’s carbon
footprint may be accomplished by transitioning the fleet to clean
electric power.
“The Seine is the beating heart of this great city and the local boats
welcome 8 million passengers per year. The river’s importance to the
history, culture and urban logistics of Paris, and to its vital tourism
industry, will only be enhanced by serving as a shining light of
sustainability and green technology for the upcoming Olympic Games,”
said Jamey.
“Torqeedo brings a line of industrially produced, fully integrated
electric drive systems which will suit the needs of a substantial part
of the Paris fleet,” Jamey continued. “The company’s electric motor and
battery systems are also compatible with innovative monitoring equipment
that will simplify fleet management and provide important data for the
operators.”
“Torqeedo is honoured to participate in this visionary plan to create a
clean, emission-free and tranquil River Seine,” said Dr. Christoph
Ballin, CEO of Torqeedo. “The Paris fleet’s transition to high-tech
electric drives will enhance the enjoyment of the fleet’s passengers and
help to accomplish the goals of Green Paris.”