Maltese electric-powered boat taking shape

The Department of Power and Control within the Faculty of Engineering at the university has started designing an electric-powered boat for use in territorial waters.

Work on the design of an electric drive suitable for such a purpose has already begun.

Student Joseph Mario Maggi, who is working on the project, said the design used two motors to drive and steer the boat without the need of a radar.

The Environment Ministry, the Malta Tourism Authority and Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance Company have provided the department with a sponsorship of Lm9,000 - Lm3,000 each - towards the research of the boat and the construction of a prototype.

The project is being carried out both by Joe Cilia, a lecturer at the faculty and by students.

Environment Minister George Pullicino said the aim of the project was to offer a clean alternative to sea transport within Malta's harbours and inlet sea.

He said that because of its clean technology such a vessel was expected to be particularly attractive for tourist trips in areas like Dwejra and the Blue Grotto. These vessels would not replace the traditional luzzu but these too could also have an electric motor system installed.

This project, he said, was in line with the government's efforts to promote means of transport that used clean technology. It confirmed that advances in technology made it possible to find alternative sources of energy which were commercially viable.

Mr Pullicino said that on Tuesday the government will be issuing a call for tenders for the formulation of a strategic master-plan for the development of an infrastructure and facilities that would encourage the use of means of transport using electricity.

He said there were 20 electric cars on the road and in the past two budgets the government had removed all registration tax on such vehicles, which also did not need a Valletta licence.

The government wanted electric cars to be used more widely so it needed to know what infrastructure was necessary. Should there be charging points on Gozo Channel vessels, in Valletta and in other locations, for example?

He said that once the new traffic system in Valletta was in operation, electric cars would have preferential parking.

The government was not expecting the mentality to change overnight but it would be promoting and encouraging change.

The boat sponsorship, he said, will give the department the opportunity to investigate the available products on the market and design a boat that would meet Malta's particular needs.

Dr Cilia said the department will now be researching all the available technology to see what could be adapted for local needs.

The department is also finalising work on the electric car project, which is sponsored by STMicroelectronics and which it started working on in 2002. Mr Pullicino said the car will be launched later this year.

Dr Cilia said he owned a fully air conditioned electric car and his running costs amounted to about Lm1.20 a week. Doing the same mileage with a petrol engine would have cost him Lm10 to Lm15 a week.