Sparky the Tugboat, a Marvel in EV

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Sparky the Tugboat is a brand new e-tugboat working hard in the ports of Auckland and New Zealand. It is the first of its kind – a tugboat that handles full-sized boats in Auckland and New Zealand. Allegedly, it represents a future of net zero emissions ship handling and has a great safety record.

Tugboat Sparky is expected to last 25 years. The boat tugs huge container ships. That’s impressive. It can pull 880 tons of freight for 30 minutes on a single charge.

Sparky has 2,240 batteries; btm Ito cells sit in 80 battery racks. It’s a tugboat fire hazard.

Most of those batteries cost $10,000 to $20,000 each. The video says they last a long time, but they’d be better at that price. What kind of power does it draw to recharge? The batteries must take a long time to charge. What do the workmen do while Sparky’s charging?

How long before Sparky goes up in flames? I have no faith in Sparky, but maybe I’m wrong. We’ll check in down the road.


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Rob of Mendota
Rob of Mendota
1 year ago

This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard about since St. Paul, Minnesota bought their $1.8 million electric fire truck last year. Good Grief.

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago

As logical as electric school bus’ and electric 18 wheelers. All were trotted out to the liberal media, all shiny and exiting then quickly forgotten when reality hit.

DFJ150
DFJ150
1 year ago

Can’t wait to hear Sparkie’s theme song “Smoke on the Water”.

Popeye the Project Boy
Popeye the Project Boy
1 year ago

ATTENTION! . . Lights out by 9PM or nobody gets a charge.

Marbran
Marbran
1 year ago

So…$22,000,000 each on the low end, for 30 minutes work at a time. Then back to the charger – powered by fossil fuels – to sit idle for many hours.

Great plan!