The first of BC Ferries’ new hybrid-electric vessels, the Island Discovery, has taken its first trip on the Texada Island–Powell River route. The ship is one of six new vessels in the Island Class Ferries which use diesel fuel to generate electricity stored in batteries on board. They are designed to be powered entirely by electricity once charging stations can be built at terminals. The second vessel in the series, Island Aurora, will replace Quadra Queen II on the Port McNeill–Alert Bay–Sointula route next week. The next four are expected to be running by 2022 on routes between Campbell River and Quadra Island, as well as between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island.
