BANGKOK’S ELECTRIC FERRIES

The first of a fleet of 27 fully-electric catamarans is being trialled in Bangkok – part of an initiative to help clean the city’s air and transform its Chao Phraya river.

Danfoss Editron is providing the electric drivetrain systems for the cats. The project’s part of Thailand company Energy Absolute’s plans to promote and increase alternative energy methods of transport in Thailand.

Bangkok is the world’s most visited city, welcoming nearly 23 million international visitors last year. But its air quality is regularly recorded at unhealthy levels due to traffic, construction and factory emissions and the burning of waste and crop residues.

The city’s seasonal weather changes, which prevent pollutants such as exhaust fumes from dissipating, further exacerbates the issue. The Thailand government is attempting to clean up its air via several methods, including the promotion of alternative energy modes of transport.

Each 24m catamaran can carry 200 passengers and contains two of Danfoss Editron’s EM-PMI375-T800 motors. These provide a continuous power output of between 174-192kW and are based on synchronous

 

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