Norled has entered into an agreement with Ruter to electrify the express boats in the Oslofjord. The express boats will use a brand new battery-switching robot that ensures that the current route speed is maintained. Electrification will cut CO2 emissions by 2,600 tons per year.
– “We’re incredibly excited to be working with Ruter to make their express boats emission-free. With the new battery exchange technology, we can quickly convert existing express boats to electric operation. We have previously collaborated with Ruter on the electrification of the Nesodden ferries. Now we’re doing the same for the express boats,” says Norled CEO Heidi Wolden.
Today’s fossil-fuel express boats will be converted to zero-emission ferries. We’re doing this by installing a new solution for battery replacement in the vessels. By changing the battery instead of having a permanent battery, the vessels will be lighter in weight and can therefore run longer routes and at the current speed.
The express boats MS “Baronen” and MS “Baronessen” that currently operate in the Oslofjord will be converted to zero-emission boats at the shipyard Brødrene Aa in Hyen and be ready for launch in the summer of 2024.
The express boats will swap batteries by connecting to a battery swapping robot being developed by Norled, SEAM and Aarbakke. The battery swapping robot has been named SHIFTR. Production of the robot is in full swing at Aarbakke in Jæren. Assembly of the robot and test runs of the robot will start at the end of 2022.
– “This is an important step towards making public transport on the fjord emission-free. In addition, it is an innovation project where we will be the first with such a solution,” says Olav Skinnes (Sp), county councillor for transport in Viken County Council.
– This is an important measure for Ruter to achieve its environmental goals of being emission-free in 2028,” says Snorre Lægran, Director of Planning at Ruter.
