This efficient electric boat will cleanup pollution in canals and waterways with zero emissions
UK-based maritime specialist MMS Workboats looks to clean up the plastic pollution plaguing local canals and waterways with the Envirocat Eco 8.5 – an all-electric boat launched (no pun intended) today.
MMS Workboats is a division of MMS Ship Repair & Dry Dock Co Ltd. – a Yorkshire, UK-based developer of workboats, repairs, and dry dock services since 1988. In order to continue to demonstrate leadership in its given segment, MMS has looked to bring less pollution and more sustainability to the waters it serves using all-electric boats.
According to MMS, recent studies found that 5000 pieces of plastic and 150 plastic bottles inhabit waters for each mile of UK beaches, and most of this pollution enters seas through rivers and inland waterways.
Worse still, the United Nations Environment Program report from 2021 states there is an estimated 75-199 million tons of plastic in the world’s oceans. That’s an issue that needs quick solving for the sake of our planet’s ecosystem – not unlike the world’s paradigm shift to electric vehicles on land.
MMS’ journey to combat this aquatic pollution pandemic continues with the Envirocat All-Electric Eco 8.5 boat, the newest vessel in its pollution control range making its debut today.
MMS’ news electric boat looks to tackle water pollution
MMS Workboats shared details of its new plastic and debris collection vessel following its official launch in the UK today. Designed to specifically rid local waterways of pollution to bring sustainability to industries like fish farming and aquaculture, the new Eco 8.5 electric boat safely removes plastic and flotsam from the water’s surface – all with zero emissions.
The 8.5-meter vessel can be operated by a single person, adding efficiency to its environmentally friendly duties of aquatic cleanup. MMS’ new vessel was developed in conjunction with Naval Architecture Firm Rockabill Marine Design in response to the increasing need for plastic removal from waterways worldwide.
It is powered by two electric outboard motors and a battery pack that can support an eight-hour shift at an impressive operating cost of just £2 ($2.44) per hour (based on 2023 UK electric costs of 34p per kWh). MMS shared that the electric boat can hold up to 3 square meters of marine pollution at a time and has been designed to support a number of applications, including clearing harbors, ports, marinas, lakes, and canals, in addition to serving as a zero-emissions workboat. Per MMS managing director Rob Langton:
The Envirocat All-Electric Eco 8.5 is the latest version of our popular Envirocat pollution control range, and marks a significant milestone in our commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation. We are proud to introduce a zero-emission vessel that not only helps clean our waterways but also supports the growth of eco- conscious industries like aquaculture, without a hefty price tag. This launch underscores our dedication to providing efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly solutions to our customers.
The Envirocat 8.5 Eco is now available, and MMS Workboats says interested parties are invited to arrange a visit to its shipyard in Hull, UK, for trials on a demonstration vessel.
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Environment
Oil major BP to slash renewable spending and double down on fossil fuels in strategy reset
In case you needed another reason to feel jealous of Chinese car enthusiasts, the Chery Exeed VX C-DM three-row SUV is officially available for pre-order with 610 hp, 1,300 km (over 800 miles) of EREV range, and a starting price of $33,085 US.
State-owned Chinese automaker Chery recently launched the Exeed luxury brand, with its latest model, the Exeed VX C-DM plugin, making its international debut in Saudi Arabia February 23. At the same time, Chery opened the order books on the Exeed in China under the Exeed Lanyue C-DM name. And it is, in a word: impressive.
It’s really nice, you guys
Dubbed “the land business jet” on Exeed’s website, the Exeed VX C-DM pairs a 1.5L range-extending ICE motor with a three-speed DHT gearbox that integrates with a 165 kW e-motor. A second 175 kW electric motor sits in the rear axle, giving the big, seven-passenger SUV a combined peak power output of 455 kW (about 610 hp) and 920 Nm (nearly 680 lb-ft) of torque. That’s enough to rocket the big SUV from 0-60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds.
On the EV side of the ERVE equation, the Exeed VX C-DM packs a super-safe CATL NMC battery pack good for 180 km (about 112 miles) of CLTC range in electric mode – a far cry from the twenty-or-thirty-odd miles you’d get out of a conceptually similar Mazda CX-90 PHEV or Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.
It’s nice inside, too
In addition to that power and performance Exeed VX C-DM buyers also get a high-end interior with quilted leather, massaging front seats, slick infotainment screens, panoramic glass roof, a 23-speaker Lion Melody sound system, and LED mood lighting. That high-tech interior sets the stage for more high-tech baubles, like 26 ADAS functions that include self-driving features, an SDG system to reduce collisions, a 540-degree (?) camera for easy parking.
That ADA system combines with a “high-performance integrated cage body” and 10 driver and passenger airbags to deliver a 5 Star C-NCAP crash test rating.
And, yes – al that goodness starts at the equivalent of just 239,900 yuan ($33,085 US) in China.
Eat your heart out.
Electrek’s Take
We can talk about tariff this and trade war that all day long. The real message here, however, is that China is objectively, unequivocally, and obviously years ahead of the US when it comes to American EVs in terms of manufacturing efficiency, battery and charging technology, and value. And, for as long as they have a system that takes the burden of pensions and healthcare and other basics of life off the manufacturer (and we don’t) they’ll probably keep pulling ahead.
Head on down to the comments and tell me convince me otherwise.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Chery Exeed, via CarNewsChina.
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With revenue tumbling almost as fast as market share, Tesla stock is taking a pounding – exactly like CEO Elon Musk predicted! We’ve also got FSD rolling out in China, a German automation acquisition, and more on today’s red candlestick edition of Quick Charge!
We’ve also got some clarifying news at Mercedes-Benz, which is set to ditch its confusing EQ-based model alphanumerics and (God willing) their suppository-based styling language, too. Plus, Rivian launches a new upfit service to make it easier for fleet managers to order ready-to-work EVs, Ram ProMaster EV lives up to its promises with more options and a lower price tag, and a big solar deal goes down.
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