The first of two hybrid electric ferries will go into service next month on Auckland’s city-to-Devonport run – marking the first time the technology has gone into commercial service in New Zealand.

The Herald joined a preview cruise on the hybrid ferry, christened the Waitematā 1, earlier today.

While some vessels in the city’s diesel fleet (average age: 22 years) sound like 10,000 lawnmowers, and smell worse, the hybrid vessel, owned by Auckland Transport (AT), is quiet enough for a whispered conversation.

And its operator, Fullers360, says it will be cheaper to run.

“Fullers360 testing shows this ferry can deliver energy costs around 70–75% lower than an equivalent diesel vessel when operating electrically," Fullers Group chief executive Mike Horne told today’s passengers.

“On the Devonport route, with charging infrastructure in place, replacing one equivalent diesel ferry with an electric-hybrid could cut diesel use by 790,000 litres a year and reduce CO2-e emissions by 2500 tonnes annually,” Horne said.

An artist's impression of the building that will hold three megachargers, on Queen's Wharf behind Shed 10 and next to the Cloud. Sweden's ABB won a $27.6m tender to build chargers for hybrid and fully electric ferries.

The immediate issue is that the main element of the charging infrastructure – three mega chargers at the downtown ferry terminal – is now not due to come partially online until later this year and completely by mid-2027.

The three 3.3-megawatt downtown chargers were originally due to be ready by the end of 2024, but AT ferry electrification programme manager Nathan Cammock said there had been design and consent delays (early in the process, councillor Mike Lee complained the building housing them would be an “eyesore”).

How the megacharger building looked this morning. Photo / Corey Fleming

In the meantime, onboard diesel generators will be used to keep the Waitematā 1’s batteries topped up during the day.

Once the downtown chargers are complete, the Waitematā 1 will switch to all-electric operation.

A second hybrid electric ferry is due on the water in about six months.

The first of two fully electric ferries – which, like the hybrid, cost around $20 million each – has been on the water for testing since June last year, with still no date to go into service.

One charger has been built at Half Moon Bay. A plan for a third at Hobsonville Point is off the table for now amid logistical and funding challenges.

The three downtown megachargers, slated to cost $27.6m, looked to be at the very preliminary stages when the Herald visited this morning.

The Waitematā 1 (pictured) is the first of two hybrid electric ferries. The second is around six months away. AT has also commissioned two fully electric ferries. The first has been on the water for testing since June last year, with no timeline yet for it to go into commercial service. The second is a few months away.

Cammock said a “partial” Half Moon Bay-CBD electric ferry service could be introduced, using only the Half Moon Bay charger, while AT waited for the downtown chargers to be finished and a marine survey to be completed.

Top-up charges will take five to 10 minutes as passengers alight.

Return to diesel

Meanwhile, amid tightened central government and Auckland Council funding, AT is procuring three new diesel ferries, which it says are a necessary stopgap while electric ferry technology matures, and breakdown-prone diesels have to be replaced in short order, in the context of a fiscal squeeze and a need to find short-term savings.

Preparing to board: Auckland councillor Richard Hills and Mayor Wayne Brown before today's sailing. Photo / Corey Fleming

“The diesel ones are $8m, and this [the Waitematā 1] is $56m by the time you’ve built the chargers and everything to make it happen,” Mayor Wayne Brown tells the Herald.

“You’ve got to look at the environmental thing, but money is also part of the environment,” Brown said.

Councillor Richard Hills, who chairs the council’s policy, planning and development committee, said: “Frustratingly, the Government has completely deprioritised the ferry electrification programme.”

"Testing shows this ferry can deliver energy costs around 70–75% lower than an equivalent diesel vessel when operating electrically," Fullers chief executive Mike Horne says. Photo / Corey Fleming

Hills said he was due to be briefed on the diesel ferry tender later this week.

“We had electrification high in our RLTP [Regional Land Transport Plan] and NLTF [National Land Transport Fund] process, but now the issue for AT is that if they put forward a tender that includes electric ferries, it’s unlikely to get subsidised,” Hills said.

No central government politicians were on hand for today’s cruise.

Made in NZ

The two 300-passenger hybrid electric ferries were made by Q-West boat builders in Whanganui, from an Incat Crowther design. The two fully electric ferries were made by East Tamaki’s McMullen and Wing, from a design by its spin-off company EV Maritime. All four vessels have propulsion systems made by Christchurch’s HamiltonJet.

EV Maritime chief executive Michael Eaglen says a strong domestic electric ferry industry could be the springboard to creating a new high-tech exporter, if the city thinks long-term.

AT’s Cammock said a 2027 funding round would be the first opportunity to resume the electrification of the city’s 30 ferries.

In the meantime, Fullers360 skipper Rob McKnight kept a tight ship as media and local body politicians boarded Waitematā 1 for today’s cruise, which included some complimentary grub.

“Use a plate for the sausage rolls and don’t put your fingers on the chairs,” he ordered.

The Waitematā 1

Waitematā 1

• Owner: AT
• Operator: Fullers
• Length: 32 metres
• Capacity: 300 passengers
• Crew: 3
• Boat builder: Q-West, Whanganui
• Design: Incat Crowther
• Electrical integration, storage: HamiltonJet
• Route: Devonport to Downtown Auckland
• Covered storage for up to 28 bikes
• Construction: marine-grade aluminium
• Speeds: 28 knots (service), 36 knots (maximum)
• Cost $20m
• Funding: 49% from Auckland Council, including support from the Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate, and 51% NZ Transport Authority

Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.