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SINGAPORE: On the Singapore River, electric ferries are giving visitors a quieter and cleaner alternative to traditional diesel-powered boats.<\/span><\/p>\n The ferries, which run on batteries supported by solar panels, are built by local startup Pyxis.<\/span><\/p>\n Each boat uses about the same amount of power as two to three hairdryers while cruising, according to the company\u2019s founder Tommy Phun.<\/span><\/p>\n Five of them have been operating along the Singapore River since 2025, with another nine expected to hit the water by the end of this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Phun said that demand for the company\u2019s range of electric vessels \u2013 which also include harbour craft for port operations \u2013 has roughly doubled over the past two to three years.<\/span><\/p>\n Interest is now coming from overseas markets such as Japan and Indonesia.<\/span><\/p>\n He added that the rising demand comes as rules around emissions tighten and the cost of running electric vessels becomes more competitive.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRegulatory and decarbonisation targets by companies are becoming clearer, more firmed up,\u201d Mr Phun noted.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe total cost of (electric vessel) ownership is starting to work quite well, especially for routes that are very heavily utilised, and especially so in this current high fuel price environment,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n