The ship sets sail on the canal. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The Zhe Xiaoshan Cargo 03306 freight ship, which was recently converted to electric power, set sail on the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal on July 23.

The transformation from a fuel-powered vessel to a pure battery-powered ship marked a significant step forward in reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact.

This 44.8-meter-long, 8.16-meter-wide, and 2.83-meter-deep ship is now the first in the Grand Canal region to undergo such an "oil to electric" conversion. Developed and designed in Zhejiang, the ship exemplifies a shift towards greener technology.

Compared to traditional diesel ships, the electric ship offers a quieter, cleaner experience. The absence of engine noise, heat, and diesel fumes provides a significantly improved working environment, while the ship's total battery capacity of 1,048 kWh allows for about 100 kilometers of travel on a single charge, which takes approximately four hours.

According to the Zhejiang Energy Group, the ship's owner, the new electric vessel can perform 50 trips annually, each covering 360 kilometers. This results in an annual electricity consumption of around 144,000 kWh, replacing 18 metric tons of diesel fuel and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 56 tons. Additionally, the ship's operational costs are reduced by nearly 100,000 yuan ($13,746) annually, with energy costs cut by nearly two-thirds for the same distance traveled.

The ship can travel about 100 kilometers on a single charge. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]