Venice of the East is leading the electric transportation charge

Tess Smallridge

Bangkok is continuing its efforts to become the Electric Transportation Capital of Asia, and a German company is right at the heart of the transformation.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) recently commissioned 12 new zero-emission, all-electric commuter ferries as part of a citywide plan to reduce traffic and vehicle emissions. The Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Sakoltee Phattiyakul, attended the private ceremony on 14 June at the MariArt Shipyard. The 47.5 ft. fibreglass vessels are powered by an integrated battery-electric propulsion system supplied by Torqeedo GmbH, which is headquartered near Munich. The vessels will augment the existing fleet of eight Torqeedo-powered electric boats introduced into service in December 2020, bringing the total fleet up to 20 boats.

“This is an important achievement for the city of Bangkok and a key part of our Thailand 4.0 Smart City vision for an integrated clean, green public transportation system including buses, trains waterways,” said Dr. Ekarin Vasanasong, Deputy Managing Director of Krungthep Thanakom Co., Ltd. (KT) BMA, on the occasion of the first ferry’s launch.

In the past, the city of Bangkok was called “The Venice of the East” and many citizens did not rely on land transport. Instead, the city’s canals were the main arteries for trade, commuting, tourism and transportation of goods. Gradually, this way of life changed and many canals were filled in to build more roads. As the city grew, so did its problems with traffic congestion. Improving transportation and air quality are enormous challenges for the BMA. Bangkok was named the world’s most congested city by navigation company TomTom Navigation (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Millions of automobiles, tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis crowd the streets, and the average Bangkok resident spends more than 64 hours a year in traffic jams. It’s no wonder, then, that Bangkok again looked to its ancient canals as a way to get commuter traffic off its crowded streets.

However, there is a catch – marine combustion engine standards are a lot lower than those for street vehicles, so the emissions are way out of proportion. Moving commuters from the roads to the canals is no bargain if it makes the air dirtier and has an adverse impact on human health.

The transport sector contributes 25 per cent of Bangkok’s carbon emissions – higher than the global average – and on the worst days the city’s schools have been temporarily shuttered due to poor air quality. An 80-horsepower petrol outboard emits as much air pollution as driving 350 automo biles at highway speeds. Removing one city bus from the streets might ease congestion, but a combustion-powered ferry will emit more than 40 times the amount of air pollution while carrying the same number of people.

The solution? Electric mobility on the water from the world leader, Torqeedo. Electric ferries are not only climate-friendly, they are totally free of local air emissions.

“With the expansion of the fleet of electric ferries, Bangkok is well on its way to achieving the ambitious goal of becoming the Electric Transportation Capital of Asia,” according to Torqeedo Asia Pacific Ltd. Sales Manager, Mr. Joe MacDonald. “The electric commuter ferries will be part of an interconnected electrified transportation network that also includes electric buses, monorail trains and even electrified versions of Bangkok’s iconic three-wheeled tuk-tuk taxis.

“Adding electric ferries to the intermodal public transport plan accomplishes the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority’s goals in two ways. Moving passengers from roads to the waterways reduces congestion and, since the boats are 100 per cent emission-free, they don’t contribute to harmful local air pollution,” Mr. MacDonald explained. Electric passenger vessels are also quiet, vibration-free and an enjoyable way to travel through this beautiful city.” Bangkok’s goal is to convert at least 30 per cent of its transportation system to electric by 2035, according to Mr. MacDonald. “There’s a push to manufacture electric buses domestically, and even the tuk-tuk taxis are getting a clean and modern update thanks to the services of MuvMi. Their ride-sharing fleet of more than 100 electric tuk-tuks can be requested on your smartphone.”

The future of urban mobility in Bangkok depends on the linking of electric trains, buses and boats, both electric and powered by fossil fuels. Passengers can already switch between the MRT subway and BTS Skytrain networks and the river ferry fleet where they are located close together, and the expansion of the electric fleet will only provide more opportunities for a completely green commute. A portion of the new fleet will operate in these urban waterways connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachinburi Province via a 72-km canal that passes through 21 districts.

Bangkok is well on its way to achieving the ambitious goal of becoming the Electric Transportation Capital of Asia.”

Torqeedo is also working on projects to convert Bangkok’s ubiquitous longtail Thai riverboats to 100 per cent emission-free solar power. With photovoltaics installed in the roof, the solar vessels can maintain a speed of 6 knots in sunny conditions. Solar riverboats deliver a powerful combination of benefits – no noise, no smell, no fuel costs and very low maintenance.

In summing up the benefits of these changes, Mr. MacDonald said that “with these clean mobility projects and the addition of the new Bang Sue Grand Station, Bangkok is redefining commuting and making it multimodal, accessible, connected and climate-friendly. It’s an exciting time.”

Tess Smallridge, Manager Marketing Communications

Contact details: Joe MacDonald, Sales Manager, Torqeedo Asia Pacific Ltd., Tel: +66 2 126 8015, joe.macdonald@torqeedo.com, www.torqeedo.com