First high-speed zero-emission fleet in the U.S.
In 2026, San Francisco Bay Ferry will introduce the United States’ first fully electric, high-speed, high-capacity ferry fleet as part of the Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) program. The project represents a major milestone for zero-emission maritime transport in North America.
Five fully electric vessels will enter service, supported by a new shoreside charging infrastructure at the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal. The REEF program is funded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and supported by California’s clean transportation initiatives.
After a detailed technical evaluation, Echandia ERS3 LTO battery systems were selected to power the vessels. The decision followed a comparative study of different battery chemistries, where LTO technology ranked as the top choice for its proven safety, rapid charging capability, and long service life.
Project facts:
Vessel type
High-speed passenger ferryNumber of vessels
5Entry into service
2026Battery system
Echandia ERS3 LTO (Buy America compliant)Charging
Battery-supported shore charging float at San Francisco Ferry TerminalOperator
San Francisco Bay Ferry / Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA)
Why Why San Francisco Bay Ferry chose Echandia:
Fully Buy America compliant, with U.S. production in Marysville, Washington
Battery-supported shore charging, allowing high-power charging even with limited grid capacity
Rapid charging capability, optimized for short turnaround times
Compact system design, 2–3 times smaller than other chemistries
Class-leading safety, with no thermal runaway or fire risk
LTO technology ranked #1 in the operator’s internal evaluation study
Shore charging innovation
A key part of the REEF project is the Universal Charging Float, an advanced charging platform powered by Echandia’s shore-based battery banks. This configuration enables ferries to recharge during short layovers, maintaining full operational schedules without increasing grid demand.
Together, the onboard and shoreside systems create a complete maritime energy solution, supporting both high operational uptime and long-term scalability.
This is probably the world’s most prestigious maritime electrification project right now, and it’s setting a new benchmark for what zero-emission ferry systems can be.
Torbjörn Bäck, CEO, Echandia
Looking ahead
With nearly 100 systems delivered worldwide and a growing U.S. presence, Echandia is proud to support San Francisco Bay Ferry in establishing a model for clean, high-performance ferry operations, proving that zero-emission shipping is ready to scale.
Want to know more?
Contact us here.
Our team has worked with leading shipyards and system integrators, from ABB to Siemens, to electrify ferries, tugs, navy and transport vessels. We know what it takes to build a safe, durable system that performs every day.
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