University of Plymouth is first to launch an electric boat

Expanding our fleet and delivering net zero
Electric boat launch
In a UK first, the University of Plymouth has added a boat powered by electricity to its fleet of education and research vessels.
Launched during an event at the University’s Marine Station, the ZENOW RS Pulse is the University’s latest move towards cleaning up our seas.

Plymouth has the largest fleet of boats of any British higher education institution, and we’re proud to be the only university in the UK recognised as carbon neutral, having retained our PAS 2060 verification last year.

This new net zero emission vessel may be relatively small, but it is a big step forward that will benefit students and colleagues.
It provides significant research and education opportunities and is a vital part of our collaborations working towards decarbonisation across the maritime sector.
It is a physical demonstration of our continued commitment to sustainability and protecting the marine environment.

Christopher FogwillProfessor Christopher Fogwill
Executive Dean

Electric boat
Worth £115k, the boat is on loan to the University for three years, as part of the ZENOW project that will see a further 14 similar vessels launched across the country.
And the University of Plymouth will analyse data relating to how the research vessels are used, during that period.
The launch event also showcased many more of Plymouth’s clean maritime projects including:
Celebrating the progress made so far, the event welcomed a number of industry partners including RS Electric Boats, which designed the new vessel; the Department for Transport; and Innovate UK – part of UK Research and Innovation.

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Clean Maritime

Our work in Clean Maritime

Mechanical and Marine Engineering students were running Inclining Test in the wave flume of the University’s Marine Building.

What can you do with a mechanical and marine engineering degree?

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