First plug-in hybrid ferry runs on biodiesel

In California, San Francisco Bay area’s Red and White Fleet, a sightseeing and cruise ferry business, added the Enhydra ferry to its fleet, which is the first aluminum hulled, lithium-Ion battery plug-in hybrid vessel built in the U.S.A.

Red and White partnered with BAE Systems, which is supplying its HybriGen® propulsion  system that includes large lithium ion battery packs (160kWh total), generators, control system, and AC electric traction motors. The system will be supplemented by a Cummins Tier 3 diesel engine running on 100% biofuel, further reducing emissions with a 30%-80% lower carbon intensity than fossil fuels.

The new ferry’s name is a tribute to the California sea otter and opened to the public just a few days ago as Red and White Fleet’s commitment to operate a zero emission fleet of vessels by 2025.