All-electric ferry completes maiden voyage on the Thames

The Orbit Clipper, the first fully electric ferry in Great Britain, has completed its maiden voyage. Its regular service is scheduled to begin in February 2026, when it will cross the river with a capacity of 150 passengers and 100 bicycles, operating every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends.

E faehre london grossbritannien uber boat e schiff — Image: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

The electric ferry, operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, is scheduled to enter full service in London next spring. It was constructed at Wight Shipyard in East Cowes with partial funding from government grants. The battery-electric vessel was designed by the Aus Ships Group. According to the operator, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers—also the owner of the vessel—the Orbit Clipper is Britain’s first fully electric ferry.

The vessel measures 25.20 metres in length, 10.10 metres in width, and has a draught of 1.10 metres. It can accommodate 150 passengers and 100 bicycles. The ferry is powered by 150 kW electric motors and Hydromaster 360° azimuth thrusters. Its battery is a 960 kWh Octopus series unit from EST Floattech. The ferry is designed to reach a speed of 10 knots and will dock overnight at Canary Wharf, where it will be charged using a charger from Aqua Superpower. The charging process is expected to take six hours at a power output of 150 kW.

The Orbit Clipper will operate specifically between Rotherhithe in the south and Canary Wharf in the north. It will provide ‘an accessible, fast and green service for thousands of Londoners and visitors a day,’ the company stated. The electric ferry will commence operations alongside the existing vessel, Twinstar. “The vessel will be progressively phased into operation, with full operation and exclusivity of the route targeted for Spring 2026,” the announcement reads.

The vessel is part of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ sustainability initiative. The company already operates three hybrid ferries: Earth Clipper, Celestial Clipper, and Mars Clipper. These hybrid vessels run on pure battery power in central London, switching to combustion engines outside the city centre.

Sean Collins, CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, is convinced that the introduction of Britain’s first fully electric vessel marks a turning point for sustainable transport in London: “The launch of Orbit Clipper is a significant milestone for sustainable transport in London. As the UK’s first all-electric, zero-emissions vessel, it represents our commitment to reducing the city’s carbon footprint while continuing to provide reliable and efficient river transport.”

thamesclippers.com, facebook.com

This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.