Background and ObjectivesIn a very touristic area, on the greatest French lake in the Alps, a private company decided to offer boat trips with a high quality of comfort (less noise and odours) and a better protection to the environment.
The boat capacity is 60 places (corresponding to the number of people coming in a coach). Its maximum speed is 11 km/h.
It has been specifically built by Debord, a French boat builder.
The boat is used every day between May and October.
The main objective was to diminish the local pollution due to touristic boats, especially for water, in a rich environmental area.
Touristic tours on boats already exist, with a start point on the small river going from the lake to the Rhτne.
ImplementationIt has the design of a paddle boat, for marketing reasons.
Two 10 kW electric motors are alimented by lead batteries which provide for 7 hours of sailing at a mean speed of 7 km/h. This is enough for the trips for 1 day. A generator has been added for security reasons, but it has never been necessary to use it.
The recharge of batteries is done by night, directly at the loading dock.
The subscription for power supply is a standard low voltage one.
The overall cost of the boat compared with a classical one is about 80 000 . A part of this cost is due to the specific conception of the boat. Subsidies from the Region and EDF represented about 15 000 .
Every 7 years, batteries will be renewed, with a cost of 15 000 .
ConclusionsThe electric motorisation induces less water pollution (with oil and lubricants), no local emissions and less noise.
The cost of electricity is about 2 500 per year, to be compared to a cost of 7 000 per year with diesel.
No specific problem has been reported.
The captain has been at first surprised by the lack of noise, but only for a short time.
Some small improvements could be done, like a battery charge indicator |
Tourists are not interested a priori by the environmental aspects of the boat. But after the tour, they are all convinced by the benefits of an electrical boat for their comfort (less noise and odours).
The development of electrical boats will need support from local authorities, for the development of tourism.
A change of regulation, by limiting big diesel boats on smaller rivers, could also help to develop electric boats.
A good marketing including, not only media but also the aspect of the boat, is necessary.
More Informationwww.chanaz-croisieres.fr
AuthorJean LEROY
Contact Jean LEROY
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