Savannah launches new hybrid ferries

a ferry boat crosses a river
One of Savannah's new diesel-electric hybrid ferries crosses the Savannah River from River Street toward the convention center on Hutchinson Island. (Emily Jones / WABE)

This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WABE and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

Savannah is cutting emissions on its popular riverfront with new hybrid ferries to shuttle people across the water. Two ferries in the city’s four-boat fleet are now hybrids that run on batteries whenever possible.

“We have a whole lot less fumes spewing out onto our passengers on any given day,” said John Allen, director of marine services for Chatham Area Transit.