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Exploring the cost and emissions impacts, feasibility and scalability of battery electric ships

Author

Listed:
  • Hee Seung Moon

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Won Young Park

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Thomas Hendrickson

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Amol Phadke

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
    University of California)

  • Natalie Popovich

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

Abstract

The United States’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals, along with targets set by the International Maritime Organization, create an opportunity for battery electric shipping. In this study, we model life-cycle costs and GHG emissions from shipping electrification, leveraging ship activity datasets from across the United States in 2021. We estimate that retrofitting 6,323 domestic ships under 1,000 gross tonnage to battery electric vessels would reduce US domestic shipping GHG emissions by up to 73% by 2035 from 2022 levels. By 2035, electrifying up to 85% of these ships could become cost effective versus internal combustion engine ships if they cover 99% of annual trips and charge from a deeply decarbonized grid. We find that charging demands from electrifying these ships could be concentrated at just 20 of 150 major ports nationwide. This study demonstrates that retrofitting to battery electric vessels has economic potential and could significantly accelerate GHG emission reductions.

Suggested Citation

  • Hee Seung Moon & Won Young Park & Thomas Hendrickson & Amol Phadke & Natalie Popovich, 2025. "Exploring the cost and emissions impacts, feasibility and scalability of battery electric ships," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 41-54, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:10:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41560-024-01655-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01655-y
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