Auckland's first electric ferry could be in the water for testing late this year.
Currently, ferries in the city make up about 20% of public transport emissions, despite making up 6% of all public transport use.
However, like buses, ferries are being used more frequently and are going to eventually become emission-free.
In early 2022, construction began on Auckland's first two carbon fibre ferries, developed by Auckland-based company EV maritime.
At the time, 1News reported Auckland Transport was receiving a $27 million grant from the government, which would cover about three-quarters of the construction cost.
According to Auckland Transport ferry programme director Nathan Cammock, the ferries could be in their hands within the next 10 months.
Auckland Transport ferry programme director Nathan Cammock. (Source: 1News)
Cammock told 1News the current target was for Auckland Transport to begin testing the vessels in the first half of 2025, and be ready for passengers in the second half.
"Very late this year, the team will be bringing them out to Mount Wellington onto the river to test the vessels and equipment and charging, and then get ready to hand them over to Auckland Transport."
On how the ferry will benefit Aucklanders and the environment, Cammock pointed to the East by West Ferries battery-powered vessel in Wellington.
An artist's impression of the electric ferries coming to Auckland Transport's fleet. (Source: Auckland Transport)
"I was talking to the manager of East by West a couple of weeks ago, and one thing they said they saw was a 75% reduction in their fuel bill on that ferry compared to a diesel fleet.
"We've got quite an old ferry fleet in Auckland and so, over time, we do need to replace that. I guess this is the start of that journey."
Cammock that noted prior to Covid-19, ferry use was rising by about 4% per year, suggesting the battery-powered fleet will become even more important as time went on.
Inside one of the two electric ferries being built in Auckland. (Source: 1News)
Auckland City Council chair of the planning environment and parks committee Richard Hills told 1News part of the Auckland Regional Land Transport plan recently drafted was to have nine electric ferries in a 10-year period.
He said 70% of Aucklanders who submitted to the climate action targeted rate — which helps fund the ferries — were "very supportive".
Hills also mentioned it was a "big step" for Auckland Council to own the ferries, and tender out the services to ferry operators.
Auckland City Council chair of the planning environment and parks committee Richard Hills. (Source: 1News)
"[It's] really important thing to decarbonise our public transport system to ensure both our buses and ferries now and in the future are going to be zero or low emission.
"That obviously is better for the environment but also we’re looking at about 60% to 70% cost savings on the operations costs of those ferries."
He added the electric fleet would be a step forward for Auckland to meet its climate goals, and would run alongside the approximate 180 electric buses which were funded this year.
"It's exciting that. not only are they being built in New Zealand, but we'll have them out on the water next year."
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