San Francisco is no stranger to ferries, with tourists and locals regularly riding ferries around the bay. Now, there’s a new ferry on the water that’s a pioneer in eco-friendly transportation. The world’s first hydrogen-powered ferry has set sail on the SF Bay this week, and starting Friday, July 19, it will offer free rides.
The zero-admissions ferry, aptly named Sea Change, is the first commercial vessel powered entirely by hydrogen. It can carry 75 passengers and will operate Friday through Sunday in San Francisco. The ferry’s journey is a short ride between Pier 41 and the Ferry Building, roughly a mile. The free rides are part of a demonstration that will last six months, so you have plenty of time to enjoy a ride.
“California is a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis, pioneering new technologies to ramp up clean energy and cut pollution — that’s why the zero-emission Sea Change is so exciting,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom, according to the SF Bay Ferry news page.
The boat is powered by 100kWh of lithium-ion batteries, powering the two electric motors with the top deck storing 240kgs of hydrogen. It’s only emission is water vapor, and even uses some of the water vapor to supply drinking fountains on the boat.
The Sea Change is the debut vessel for Switch Maritime, a company that makes zero-carbon vessels. The Sea Change is the product of 5 years of work, which started with Switch Maritime and was founded in 2018. The ferry was constructed between the Bay Area and Bellingham, Washington, and measures 70 feet. Switch Maritime already has plans for two more boats, including one that is designed for longer routes and more passengers. The company was founded to not only build a hydrogen-powered fleet but to create a hydrogen fuel supply chain.