All-electric ferry sails 90 km on single battery charge, setting world record

Ellen, the world’s longest-ranging fully electric ferry, set a new world record on 9 June in Sønderborg, Denmark, during the International Energy Agency (IEA) 7th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency.

On its return from the conference, Ellen sailed 50 nautical miles – 92 kilometres – on a single battery charge.

This is the longest recorded distance for an electric ferry able to carry passengers and vehicles to date anywhere in the world, according to the Danish engineering company Danfoss.

Henrik Hagbarth Mikkelsen, Senior Lecturer, Marstal Naval Academy, Denmark, who helped specify the technical solutions for the ferry during its design phase, was on-board for the trip:

“The 92-kilometer trip on a single battery charge is the longest planned distance for an electric ferry able to carry both passengers and vehicles to date, anywhere on the globe. We are talking about a clear record. On normal daily trips, the ferry sails 22 nautical miles, or 40 kilometers, from harbor to harbor before recharging.”

Ellen does not emit carbon and operates at a 24 percent lower cost than a new diesel ferry. She started sailing in 2019, with Danfoss’ Editron division supplying the electric Editron drivetrains and propulsion motors powering the ferry.

“Ellen is an excellent example of the future for electric transport. It’s cleaner, greener, and more efficient than her fossil fuel competitors. Electrifying maritime transport is a clear-cut way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Kimmo Rauma, Vice President of Danfoss’ Editron division, commented.

Danfoss Editron plans to submit the world record to Guinness World of Records.