New York's $33 million electric ferry, the Harbor Charger, launched last year as a bold step toward cleaner transportation. However, the hybrid vessel still lacks a charging station and must run on diesel, whose price has soared during the war with Iran. The charging station construction, anticipated last year, has not begun due to Trump administration delays in approving $7.5 million in federal funds.
Even if approved, the station would take over a year to build. Globally, electric ferries are being introduced to cut carbon emissions from ships burning diesel and fuel oil, but building charging infrastructure proves challenging. Washington State's diesel-electric ferry won't have a charging station until 2029, and Georgia canceled a clean ferry project over charging station costs. Maine's diesel-electric ferry will launch next month with a charging dock ready since 2024.
The Harbor Charger, which carries passengers and vehicles between Lower Manhattan and Governors Island, has been out of service since August for cooling system repairs.
Source: New York Times Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing