Washington State Ferries (WSF) has launched an invitation to bid in the conversion of its three Jumbo Mark II ferries from diesel to hybrid electric. The hybrid-electric conversions of the Jumbo Mark IIs is just the first part of an electrification journey that will include building 16 new hybrid-electric vessels, converting six existing vessels to hybrid electric, and bringing electrification to 16 terminals. The conversion will incorporate energy storage technology and rapid charging of the batteries from each applicable ferry terminal. According to WSF, the conversion will reduce emissions from the Jumbo Mark II vessels by more than 20% initially, then by nearly 95% when terminals are electrified in 2026.
