BC Ferries' first hybrid electric vessel begins service Wednesday

The first of BC Ferries' new hybrid-electric vessels is taking its maiden voyage on Wednesday.

The corporation said the Island Discovery will begin service with the Texada IslandPowell River route at 3 p.m. PT.

The ship is one of six new vessels, known asIsland Class ferries, which usediesel fuel to generate electricitystored in batteries on board. They're designed to be powered entirely by electricity once charging stations can be built at terminals, a statement said Tuesday.

The second vessel in the series, Island Aurora, will replace Quadra Queen II on the Port McNeillAlert BaySointula route next week.

The next four are expected to be runningby 2022 between Campbell River andQuadra Island ,as well asbetween Nanaimo andGabriola Island.

BC Ferries has said the hybrid boats are the beginning of a long-term plan to have itsentirefleet powered by electricity, including the longer routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

In an interview last fall, BC Ferries CEO Mark Collins said the corporationis workingwith BC Hydro to figure out the best way to install charging equipment at terminals, sothe vesselsrecharge between trips.

The corporation's statement on Tuesday said the new shipsare currently fitted withtechnology "that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure and funding become available."