Ellen will go into service at the beginning of SeptemberL
Credit: eclanché SA

We’ve seen a few all-electric ferries quietly and cleanly moving people, carsand goods between ports in northern Europe, but Ellen is reported to be the world’s largest. It made its first commercial trip earlier this month between two Danish islands.

The battery-electric ferry has taken over from the diesel-powered MF Skjoldnæs to carry passengers and vehicles between Søby on Ærø island and Fynshav on Als island. Named Ellen, the electric ferry made its inaugural voyage on August 15 before she goes into service in the beginning of September. MF Skjoldnæs is not being retired, but will take on another route.

Ellen has 59.5 x 12.8 m (195 x 42 ft) dimensions and a draft of 2.5 m (8.2 ft). Her hull arrived from Poland in 2017 and has since been fitted out with electric motors from Finland’s Visedo and a 4.3-MWh Li-ion battery pack from Swiss company Leclanché SA. She […]