The ferry utilizes the world’s first type-approved battery for maritime use. The ferry company intends to enter an agreement with a power company in order to ensure access to certified green electricity. The ferry was developed as part of a 4-year innovation project, E-ferry, aimed at designing, building and testing a 100% electric, medium-sized ferry for passengers, cars, trucks and other cargo.
The E-ferry project was financed through the European Commission’s Horizon 2020-programme in collaboration with the Municipality of Ærø. DKK 113m has been granted from the European Commission through Horizon 2020, while the Municipality of Ærø financed the project with DKK 89m of which DKK 5.8m has been borrowed from KommuneKredit. Furthermore, DKK 6m was granted by Leclanché SA.
The goal of the E-ferry project was to promote energy efficient, CO₂-neutral and pollution-free waterborne transportation for routes between islands and inshore European waters and beyond.