The first pure-electric, 1,000-ton cargo vessel on the Yangtze River began the trial voyage along its tributary Xiliu River in Changzhou City on May 8.
The Zhongtian Dianyun 001 vessel, named after Zenith Steel Group, is powered by lithium battery with a capacity of 1,458 kWh, equivalent to 40 electric vehicles. After charging for 2.5 hours, the cargo ship’s range can reach around 50,000 meters. If the ship makes 150 voyages a year, it will consume 450,000 kWh, and this will save 20.16 tons of fuel.
Experts say the success of the trial voyage can be a revolutionary progress for bulk freighter in inland waterway transport. Efforts will be made to promote cargo ships on the Yangtze River to shift from using fuels to battery power. Such efforts can help reduce pollutant emissions into the country’s greatest river and improve environmental protection.
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