University gets electric boat in net-zero push

The University of Plymouth has said it has become the first in the UK to add a boat powered by electricity to its fleet of education and research vessels.

The university said the addition was part of its latest move to help clean up our seas.

It said the boat was supplied as part of the Zero Emissions Network of Workboats (ZENOW) project, a partnership of 15 UK marine businesses and organisations.

Prof Christopher Fogwill, executive dean of science and engineering at the university, said he wanted Plymouth "to be a world leader in clean maritime".

Prof Fogwill said: "We want to demonstrate how net zero can be achieved and small projects like this start off at this size, but they create real ripple effects around them."

Alex Newton-Southon, managing director of RS Electric said of the vessel: "You just plug it in just like your car.

"If you're doing eight to 10 knots, you'd last all day, if you're going to be full power which is 22 knots you could get from Salcombe to Plymouth easily."

The University of Plymouth said it was also currently co-developing a charging infrastructure network along the south coast.

It said the Electric Seaway network would feature 10 locations equipped with charging installations to "create a green corridor".

Last year Harry Besley, from Taunton, successfully took an electric RIB around the coast of the UK - the first time the challenge had been undertaken.

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