.webp)
Pyxis launches solar-powered electric boats on Singapore River, promoting sustainable water transport.
Solar-powered electric boats are to change boat transport along Singapore's rivers, with two of 10 vessels built by local maritime start-up Pyxis to start plying the Singapore River next month. The boats, known as Pyxis R, will replace 10 of WaterB's fleet of 20 boats by the end of 2025. This development is a major move toward green, sustainable water transport in the city-state.
Pyxis founder and CEO Tommy Phun announced the rest of the eight solar boats will be rolled in at normal intervals throughout the year, and a new boat every other month. Each boat's solar panels can generate about 22 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day. Together, the 10 Pyxis R boats will generate enough electricity to light 20 social housing flats for a day, demonstrating the high energy-saving capability of the boats.
They are not just eco-friendly, though - they're also equipped with advanced vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. Using this system, the boats can take any surplus power produced by renewables and feed it back into the grid to help the energy system as a whole. The boats will mostly run during evenings and nights and charge up in between during the daytime when on standby, which again optimizes their energy efficiency.
Apart from the river cruise vessels, Pyxis also introduced a series of electric workboats in March 2024 to transport workers between Marina South Pier and adjacent anchorages. This move highlights the growing pace of green maritime transport in Singapore, and it serves as a good example for other cities to follow.
With the prospect of solar ships on the Singapore River bright in the future, Pyxis is charting a greener, more sustainable water transport future for the region.
.webp)
