Hybrid electric commuter boat launched in Stockholm
In joint trials, Blidösundsbolaget, a subsidiary of Transdev has teamed up with Scania to refit M/S Rex, for hybrid operations. The boat, built in 1937, is now ferrying commuters on behalf of Stockholm Transport.
“We’re encouraged by what we’ve seen so far,” says Fredrik Liw, who is Technical Manager at Blidösundsbolaget. “There’s still a lot of development and testing to do, but we could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 47 percent.”
Approximately 60 percent of commuters in the Swedish capital use public transport and Stockholm Transport prides itself on having a completely fossil-free fleet of buses and trains.
Recently, the transport authority has started making greater use of the city’s waterways, providing shorter and quicker journeys. By 2021, 90 percent of all regional public transport vessels will be operated on fossil-free fuels. The hybridisation of Rex is an important step in that development.
“When Scania approached us, I’d already thought that Rex was suitable for a hybrid electric powertrain, as she’s very energy-efficient,” says Liw.”
The M/S Rex operates daily on a 75-minute route on Lake Mälaren, between Stockholm city centre and the island of Ekerö – known for two UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Drottningholm Castle, home to the Swedish Royal Family.
The boat can take up to 150 people and uses a Scania 13-litre diesel engine that conforms to the international IMO Tier 3 emission standard. This is complemented by an e-machine, which means the boat can approach jetties silently. Its total propulsion power is 240 kW continuously or 290 kW for a short duration and it takes around 100 kW of power to run the boat at cruise speed. This provides two hours’ running time on pure electricity.
“This can be a game changer,” says Lead Engineer Mattias Rosengren, Scania Engines. “We’re bringing automotive technology to the marine world, as we’ve done with diesel engines. The boat’s powertrain contains the same sort of components as Scania’s hybrid and fully electric vehicles.”
For further information, please contact:
Torben Dabrowski, Sales Director Marine, Scania Engines
Phone: +46 8 553 836 92
E-mail: torben.dabrowski@scania.com
Scania is a world-leading provider of transport solutions. Together with our partners and customers we are driving the shift towards a sustainable transport system. In 2018, we delivered 88,000 trucks, 8,500 buses as well as 12,800 industrial and marine engines to our customers. Net sales totalled to over SEK 137 billion, of which about 20 percent were services-related. Founded in 1891, Scania now operates in more than 100 countries and employs some 52,100 people. Research and development are concentrated in Sweden, with branches in Brazil and India. Production takes place in Europe, Latin America and Asia, with regional production centres in Africa, Asia and Eurasia. Scania is part of TRATON SE. For more information visit: www.scania.com.
