New York’s $33m Harbor Charger is the state's first hybrid-electric ferry to hit the waves

The Harbor Charger, New York’s very first hybrid-electric ferry, has officially joined the fleet, promising to make trips to Governors Island faster and greener.

Costing $33 million and built from more than 465 tons of steel, the brand-new vessel was christened on August 13 to much fanfare.

It’s set to replace the island’s veteran workhorse, the Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, a ferry that has been loyally chugging along since the 1950s.

For passengers, the Harbor Charger promises smoother rides, quicker crossings, and a huge leap forward for sustainable travel on the water.

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The Harbor Charger is greener and faster

Unlike the diesel-guzzlers of the past, this ferry runs on Siemens Energy’s BlueDrive Eco diesel-electric propulsion system, complete with high-tech batteries and energy monitoring tools.

It can operate in three modes: hybrid with diesel backup, battery-only, and even full zero-emissions.

In hybrid mode alone, it’s expected to cut around 600 tons of CO₂ every year.

Once its shoreside fast-charging stations are ready, that number could climb to 1,400 tons saved annually.

That’s a big win for the environment, and for New Yorkers who want greener ferries, like this futuristic ferry in Finland that can sail without using a drop of gas.

The Harbor Charger is no slouch when it comes to performance, either.

Clocking in at 10 to 12 knots, it’s about 66 percent faster than the old ferry, meaning shorter waits and speedier trips across the harbor.

With its 360-degree steering system, maneuvering will also feel more graceful and efficient, even with more than 1,000 passengers and 30 cars on board.

While it’s not nearly as futuristic as this see-through ferry designed in Germany, it’s certainly much more efficient.

The hybrid-electric ferry will go fully electric soon

The sleek new hybrid-electric ferry was designed by Elliot Bay Design Group, the same team behind the Governors 1 passenger-only vessel launched in 2019, and was built at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana earlier this year.

With its arrival, the Trust for Governors Island has also lined up $7.5 million in federal funding for shoreside charging infrastructure, which is the final step before the ferry can go fully electric.

But this story isn’t just about getting people to and from Governors Island.

The Harbor Charger is just the latest in a long list of environmentally friendly sea vessels.

Billionaires like Bill Gates have been pioneering this concept for years, with his eco-yacht being capable of generating mansion-powering electricity, while emitting no CO₂.

Sometimes, making ferries more energy-efficient doesn’t need to be very flashy.

This Japanese car ferry has an innovative energy-saving hull, which helps to bring about significant fuel savings with a simple, nondescript design change.

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