Echandia, a Swedish startup specializing in batteries and electronics for maritime vessels, is opening its first manufacturing and sales facility in North America in Western Washington. The company is considering providing battery power to Washington’s ferry system, which is looking to convert its fleet to hybrid-electric power by 2040. With Gov. Jay Inslee’s support for the electrification of the state’s ferries, Echandia sees an opportunity to be a major player in this arena. The company partners with shipyards to build and retrofit vessels to be all-electric or hybrid-electric powered, with customers in Europe, India, and New Zealand.
Echandia’s batteries use a lithium-titanate-oxide chemistry that is claimed to be safer and faster charging compared to traditional lithium-ion options. The company will be the first tenant in the Marysville Corporate Center, occupying 20,000 square feet with plans to expand in the future. Hiring for jobs in sales, administration, and manufacturing will begin immediately, with the total headcount for the Marysville facility dependent on incoming orders. Washington’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its ferries involve converting existing vessels to hybrid-electric and building new hybrid-electric vessels, along with adding shore charging infrastructure at terminals.
Washington State Ferries has put out a bid to build five new ferries, with plans to select shipyards early next year. The agency aims to have the first two vessels completed by 2028. The ferry system currently burns 19 million gallons of diesel annually and is the largest producer of greenhouse gases among Washington’s government agencies. More than 70 ferry operators in northern Europe have already converted their vessels to hybrid-electric power over the past decade. The Washington project has an estimated cost of roughly $4 billion, with funding coming in part from the Climate Commitment Act, which puts a price on carbon pollution for the state’s largest greenhouse gas emitters.
Echandia’s CEO, Fredrik Hellström, sees the U.S. expansion as a strategic move for the company, putting their “foot on the ground” and establishing a presence in the American market. The company plans to work closely with Washington’s ferry system to explore opportunities for providing battery power to the vessels, potentially making a significant impact on reducing emissions and advancing sustainable maritime solutions. By partnering with shipyards to build and retrofit vessels for all-electric or hybrid-electric power, Echandia is positioning itself as a key player in the electrification of maritime transportation.
The state’s efforts to convert its ferry fleet to hybrid-electric power align with global trends towards reducing emissions in the maritime industry. With the support of government initiatives like the Climate Commitment Act, Washington is making substantial investments to transition to cleaner forms of transportation and reduce its carbon footprint. Echandia’s innovative battery technology and commitment to sustainability make the company a strong contender for providing solutions to help Washington achieve its environmental goals. The expansion into Western Washington marks a significant milestone for Echandia as it seeks to establish itself as a leader in the electrification of maritime vessels in North America.
