Canal boats switch to electric

Amsterdam’s famous canal boats are changing from diesel to electric drive ahead of a 2025 diesel engine ban on the city’s waterways.

Building a new electric boat would cost about a million euros, with old ones converted much cheaper – possibly for around 50,000 euros when due for maintenance, added to a 150,000 euros repair bill.

Lithium-ion batteries are stored below decks, with about 75% of the 550 commercial boats now emissions-free, Reuters reports.

About 100 boat charging stations will be established by the end of next year.

Amsterdam’s canal boats are a popular visitor attraction, each running about 14 hours daily with 320 of them carrying nearly four million passengers annually.

Many of the city’s 12,000 recreational boats also have to become emissions free.