The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is preparing the way to become the world’s largest electrified and hybrid ferry fleet. The move comes as an initial $268 million part of a $1.07 billion spending plan proposed by governor Jay Inslee to reduce Washington State emissions in maritime industry, and to protect Salish Sea orcas and the salmon they rely on. It would begin by converting the largest Jumbo Mark II ferries that run between Seattle and Bainbridge, and Edmonds and Kingston while introducing a new line of 144 car and smaller electrified ferries in future production.

British Cascadia and Washington together already have the worlds largest civilian ferry fleet. In Washington, the iconic ferry fleet causes more air pollution than anything else the WSDOT manages, and officials are eager to reduce those numbers. The three Jumbo Mark II ferries — the Tacoma, Puyallup and Wenatchee —were chosen as a starting point after a study found that the three ferries burn approximately 4.2 million gallons of fuel per year and generate more than 26 percent of the 22 vehicle ferry fleet’s annual emissions. One ferry will burn about about 5,000 gallons of diesel daily to make 10 round-trip crossings.

In total, Washington ferries produce 67 percent of WSDOT’s annual emissions. Targeting the aging diesel fleet is an easy way to greatly reduce transportation related air pollution, which is responsible for nearly one-third of the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. When converting the ferries, half of the existing diesel generators are taken out and replaced with lithium ion batteries.