Barcelona’s electric water taxi runs 21 hours

April 09, 2025

One of Europe’s largest ports has taken a significant step toward greener transport with the launch of a fully electric commuter ferry, powered by the advanced ARIES i50 electric motors from German tech company Molabo.

The Port of Barcelona, Spain’s third-largest container port which hit a record 3.3 million TEU in traffic last year, unveiled the state-of-the-art and zero-emission ferry called Ecocat Tres in early April.

A part of Bus Nàutic – a clean-energy boat service connecting Drassanes and Llevant wharves in Barcelona, which logged over 125,000 quiet and sustainable trips in its first three months – the 49-foot (15-meter) aluminum catamaran boasts a capacity of 84 passengers and features a rooftop deck for extra seating.

The initiative aims to provide locals and tourists with a sustainable travel option while reducing road traffic and urban air pollution in the busy city.

Transforming city waterways

Backed by Port de Barcelona and operated by ALSA (Automóviles Luarca, S.A.), a Spanish subsidiary of the UK company Mobico Group, the vessel runs at least 12 hours daily, departing every 15 to 30 minutes for a 10-minute trip between stops.

Constructed by Spanish shipbuilder Metaltec Naval, the Ecocat Tres runs on two ARIES i50 Molabo motors, securing an operational speed of 5 knots at which it can run for up to 21 hours on a single charge, and a top speed of 12 knots.

“Integrating our ARIES i50 motors into Barcelona’s nautical bus fleet underscores our commitment to making maritime transport quieter, cleaner, and more reliable,” Molabo GmbH COO Adrian Patzak, says. “Our low-voltage propulsion solutions provide plenty of power for this large, heavy passenger vessel and are also easy and safe to maintain and repair.”

Patzak states that the company’s 48-volt ARIES i50 motors offer a safer, quieter, and more efficient solution compared to conventional high-voltage systems, in addition to lowering onboard noise and vibrations, and enhancing overall passenger comfort and ride quality.

The vessel’s propulsion and power setup, which Azimut Marine delivered, includes twin 50 kW ARIES electric inboard drives, 36 batteries with a total capacity of 216 kWh, and fast chargers. In addition, integrated solar panels supply up to 40 percent of the catamaran’s total energy needs, further boosting its sustainability.

An eco-friendly innovation

“By eliminating the hassles of high-voltage electric drive systems, the Ecocat Tres has set a new benchmark for practical, economical, and sustainable urban mobility,” Patzak explains.

Meanwhile, estimates suggest that the Ecocat Tres will eliminate around 90 tons of CO₂ emissions each year, due to its fully zero-emission operation and clean energy systems.

This, in turn, closely aligns with Barcelona’s environmental goals and targets, which include a 45 percent per capita reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

“The arrival of the new electric water taxi marks a meaningful step forward in our commitment to sustainability,” Port of Barcelona president José Alberto Carbonell, concludes. “This 100 percent electric, zero-emission passenger ferry is helping us reshape mobility in the port and accelerate the decarbonization of our operations.”