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.
“It is certainly less diesel usage overall as we are moving about our route.”
Diesel emissions are detrimental to both human health and the planet, with emissions from transportation accounting for 28% of the country’s planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, diesel fuel produces more carbon dioxide per gallon than regular gasoline, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Breathing in diesel exhaust can lead to asthma and other respiratory conditions and worsen heart and lung diseases.
The Savannah Belles Ferries provide free rides across the Savannah River, from the popular bars, restaurants and waterfront promenade of River Street to the convention center, hotel and golf course across the water on Hutchinson Island.
The ferries do still use diesel generators to charge their batteries. However, they can also charge by plugging into electric power on the shore.
The ferries were custom-designed and are the first hybrids in the country to use marine jet propulsion, according to Allen. This means that they don’t rely on propellers like traditional boat engines.
And Allen says that other ferry operators are hoping to follow Savannah’s lead.
Eventually, the city plans to convert its entire ferry fleet to hybrids and expand the onshore charging ability to reduce the use of diesel power further.
“We’ve had interest from, honestly, all around the world as to how you’re implementing this new hybrid system, all the ins and outs,” he notes. “It really makes me believe that we are, in a way, groundbreaking.”
