Echandia, a Swedish startup focused on manufacturing batteries and electronics for maritime vessels, is expanding its operations to Western Washington, marking its first location in North America. The company is interested in potentially providing battery power to Washington’s ferry system, which includes vessels sailing near Anacortes. Echandia’s CEO, Fredrik Hellström, views this expansion as a way to establish a stronger presence in the U.S. market. The company’s new facility in Marysville, Washington will be inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting event that Governor Jay Inslee is expected to attend.
The state of Washington operates the largest ferry system in the U.S. and has ambitions to convert its fleet to hybrid-electric power by 2040. Echandia sees itself as a contender in assisting with this transition, partnering with shipyards to build and retrofit vessels to be all-electric or hybrid-electric powered. The company has experience in working on various types of maritime vessels and has a track record of customers in Europe, India, and New Zealand. Echandia’s batteries utilize a lithium-titanate-oxide chemistry that is believed to be safer and faster charging than traditional lithium-ion options.
Echandia’s new facility in Marysville will occupy 20,000 square feet with plans to expand its footprint over time. The company will be hiring for various positions in sales, administration, and manufacturing to support its growing operations. The shift towards hybrid-electric power for Washington’s ferries is part of a broader effort to reduce the state’s carbon footprint. The ferry system currently burns a significant amount of diesel fuel each year, making it a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. By converting vessels to hybrid-electric power and investing in shore charging infrastructure, Washington aims to significantly reduce its environmental impact.
The state of Washington recently put out a bid for the construction of five new ferries, with the expectation of selecting shipyards for the project early next year. The initiative to convert existing vessels to hybrid-electric and build new hybrid-electric vessels comes with an estimated cost of roughly $4 billion. Funding for the project is partially sourced from the Climate Commitment Act, which puts a price on carbon pollution for the state’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters. However, a ballot measure titled Initiative 2117 aims to eliminate this funding source. Echandia’s presence in Western Washington highlights the growing interest in sustainable maritime solutions and the potential for battery power to play a significant role in reducing emissions from ferry operations.
