Plymouth Electric Boat Charging Points

Plymouth set to install the UK's first shore-side charging facilities for boats.

09:15 27 September 2021

Plymouth is set to install its network of shore-side charging facilities for its fleet of electric maritime vessels. The city, which is recognised as home to the UK's first marine electric passenger ferry and an electric water taxi that operates 364 days a year, hopes to ensure further growth in this emerging sector in a sustainable way. 

 

The project, which is funded through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, is participated by a number of partners who will be involved in building pivotal infrastructure to accelerate innovation and growth. 

 

Professor Will Blake, director of the Sustainable Earth Institute at the University of Plymouth, said: “This is an exciting project that has the real potential to showcase Plymouth as a trailblazer in clean maritime innovation.

 

“It builds on our existing partnerships and shows that there is a concerted effort to make positive and lasting changes that will benefit both our city and the environment as a whole. The university has a long track record of using its world-leading sustainability research and partnerships to both highlight challenges and develop new ways of working. This project, and the opportunities it brings, is the perfect way to continue expanding that work.”

 

Cllr Jonathan Drean, cabinet member for transport at Plymouth City Council, said: “This is a big deal – not just for the council and its partners – but for our sizable maritime community from weekend anglers to the fishing crews, who I hope will be looking at this with real interest.

 

“We need to plan for a future that is less reliant on fossil fuels and our marine sector can play a key role in ensuring a greener future. This exciting project fits in so well with so many of our city aspirations to tackle climate change through our Climate Emergency Action Plan but to also encourage more people to enjoy the waters around Plymouth, through our National Marine Park status.

 

“It’s also putting Plymouth’s name out there as a city that’s innovative, that’s prepared to support and invest in the right infrastructure that could lead to a significant step towards becoming more sustainable. If we are asking businesses, organisations and individuals involved in our marine economy to go greener, we need to make it as easy as possible for them to do this. That’s what this project is about.”