PonTOM Kingfisher rendering of the planned prototype vessel. Foto: Torqueedo
Torqeedo, the market leader in electric mobility on water, announces that it has been commissioned by Eichberger Schiffservice GmbH, the leading service provider in the river cruise industry. The prototype of a luxurious and innovative houseboat developed by Eichberger will be equipped by Torqeedo with a fully integrated electric propulsion system. A fuel cell from Argo-Anleg and solar panels will also be integrated. Tourists who rent the “Kingfisher” can look forward to a 100% emission-free travel experience on rivers or lakes lasting several days.
“Eichberger Schiffservice GmbH has recognized that tourists are increasingly looking for more sustainable vacation options. We at Torqeedo are delighted to be able to use our electric drive systems in a pioneering project like the ‘Kingfisher’. As a provider of comprehensive system solutions, one of Torqeedo’s core competencies is the integration of solar and hydrogen technologies into the ship’s propulsion system to achieve the desired range. Eichberger Schiffservice GmbH is setting new standards in tourism with us, and together we are showing that luxury and sustainability do not have to be a contradiction in terms,” explains Matthias Vogel, Senior Vice President Customized Solutions at Torqeedo.
Energy from solar power and hydrogen combustion
The development and idea for the “Kingfisher” came from Eichberger Schiffsservice GmbH. The project has been financially supported from the outset by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy as part of the Bavarian Energy Research Program. The Kiebitzberg shipyard in Havelberg is responsible for building the “Kingfisher” demonstrator, which will be equipped with the powerful Deep Blue 50i engine and the Deep Blue Battery 80 with a capacity of 80 kWh from Torqeedo. The fuel cell from Argo-Anleg also enables a completely energy self-sufficient stay on the water for several days with a daily cruising time of four hours. In addition, the prototype will be equipped with solar panels on the wide roofs of the houseboat, which can generate additional energy of up to 3 KWh per hour during longer periods of mooring.
Launch of the prototype planned for this year
“Thanks to Torqeedo’s many years of experience with pioneering propulsion systems, we can realize our vision of hydrogen propulsion for smaller charter boats. As hydrogen propulsion systems are still quite new on the water, we are working with our engineers and the relevant authorities to develop guidelines during the testing phase. Our aim is to ensure safe use on the water,” explains Manfred Eichberger from Eichberger Schiffservice GmbH. Completion of the demonstrator of the charter houseboat is planned for September this year. This will be followed by an extensive test phase on the river. After its test phase, the “Kingfisher” will go into trial operation and lay the foundation for the series development of up to ten units with the aim of expanding Eichberger Schiffservice GmbH’s portfolio to include emission-free charter houseboats in the future.
