Electromobility is by no means limited to land vehicles such as e-cars, pedelecs or electricity-powered scooters and motorcycles. On the water, too, the trend toward low-emission locomotion is in full swing, providing passengers on electric boats and ships with a particularly fascinating way to experience nature. And as with the "Stromern" on land, which experienced their first heyday at the beginning of the 20th century, electric shipping can also look back on a long history.
First beginnings on the Königssee
It is 1908 and the Königssee is attracting more and more visitors, who are transported to the excursion destinations of this fantastic mountain landscape by 57 rowing boats, the so-called "See-Knechten".
The construction of the railroad connection from Berchtesgaden to Königssee, which no longer exists today, led to the expectation of a further increase in the number of guests. And that's exactly what happened in the end. In the summer half-year 2010, the local railroad already transported almost 255,000 people to the lake. Consequently, a decision on the introduction of a motorized boat service was urgently needed. This was by no means a new demand, as there had already been calls for a steamship in 1873. However, a corresponding application was rejected by King Ludwig II, although he had a high affinity for technical innovations.
When the decision was finally made in 1909, the vote was quickly cast in favor of an electric drive, whereby, unlike today, environmental considerations were not yet the deciding factor.
Hunting luck thanks to electric drive
A nice, but unverifiable, tale told by the boatmen is that Prince Regent Luitpold felt that the noise of combustion engines could have scared away game and impaired his hunting pleasure on the lake. The acquisition of the electric boats, which glide silently across the lake, was therefore entirely in his interest. Electric navigation was finally inaugurated in 1909 with the electric boat "Accumulator" supplied by Siemens-Schuckert-Werke.
It held 38 people, was 12 m long, 2.15 m wide and had about 15 hp. The energy was provided by a lead-acid battery, which at a speed of 10 km/h allowed an action radius of about 100 kilometers
Upswing of electric shipping
The model proved its worth thanks to its reliability, zero emissions and low operating costs, even in comparison with two steam engine boats also in use, which were petroleum-fired. Consequently, more E-boats were soon added, and by 1913 the fleet already comprised 12 vessels. A boat from 1929 is still in service today.
Schifffahrt Königssee, which is owned by the Free State of Bavaria, currently operates 18 identical electric motorboats that are approximately 20 m long, about 3.50 m wide and licensed for 93 people. In addition, a smaller electric motorboat for 25 persons belongs to the fleet. During the night, the lead batteries are charged with inexpensive nighttime electricity. The capacity of the full batteries is sufficient for about 12 hours of use.
In Germany's highest-lying, company-owned shipyard, not only repairs and general overhauls are carried out, but also complete newbuildings are built.
Gliding over the lake as quiet as a whisper
Hardly any vacation and excursion experience lives up to the title of our special "Experiencing Nature Sustainably" as perfectly as a relaxing boat tour on the crystal-clear, often emerald-green waters of Lake Königsee. This lake stretches like a fjord, nestled between forested mountain slopes and rugged rock formations over a length of almost eight kilometers, in the middle of Germany's only Alpine National Park.
Pure enjoyment of nature, not only on the hiking routes around the lake, but already on the environmentally friendly journey there by electric boat. Speaking of enjoyment, physical well-being is also catered for, as many of the approximately 700,000 passengers a year are drawn from the landing point on the peninsula with the famous pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä directly to the nearby inn to indulge in typical Upper Bavarian specialties. And those who indulge in gluttony too much can do penance right next door.
Electric cruises with alpine scenery
E-mobility on the water is no longer limited to Lake Königssee alone for Bayerische Seenschifffahrt. Since the summer of 2021, passengers on the electric motorboat "Berg" have also been able to enjoy gentle mobility on the water on Lake Starnberg just outside Munich. In its first year of operation, the e-ship, which is powered by 100 percent green electricity, has already transported more than 50,000 guests in over 1,900 hours of operation. It is equipped with modern facilities such as a panorama deck, WLAN and elevator, and even charging facilities for electric bicycles. From on board, the beauty of Lake Starnberg can be experienced against the backdrop of the Bavarian Alps in an environmentally friendly way.
Between Lake Starnberg and Garmisch Partenkirchen lies the "Blue Land" named after the famous artist group "Blauer Reiter". In the midst of this enchanting pre-Alpine landscape is the Murnauer Moos, a true pearl of nature with a unique flora and fauna.
The special atmosphere of this region can be captured on numerous cycling and hiking routes, but also from the water, because the Staffelsee Schifffahrt also invites you to an excursion without exhaust and noise emissions.
The "Staffelseerin" is a pure electric passenger ship with a length of 16.5 meters and a width of 4 meters. In it 48 people can be seated at tables, in total it is licensed for 70 people. It connects the villages of Seehausen, Murnau and Uffing and, thanks to its equipment with solar modules on the roof, it can even run on solar energy alone at zero cost in good weather conditions and at reduced speed. From mid-April until the end of the season, round trips are also offered daily.
E-ship in Austria with long tradition and solar-electric present
As early as 1913, the railroad operators and mobility pioneers Josef Stern and Franz Hafferl founded electric navigation on Lake Attersee with two electricity-powered boats, the "Baron Handel" and the "Attergau".
Almost 100 years later, the electro-mobile circle of the family-owned company Stern & Hafferl came full circle in 2011 on Lake Altaussee in the form of Austria's first solar-powered ship. The "Altaussee", a 25-meter-long catamaran equipped with 60 square meters of solar modules is powered exclusively by solar energy, which is temporarily stored in batteries for operation on cloudy days. Before it was used on the mountain lake in the Styrian Salzkammergut region, the aluminum vessel, built in 1998 at Österreichische Schiffswerften AG Korneuburg, first sailed on the Danube, then on the Bostalsee lake in Saarland. It offers 50 seats below deck and 30 seats on the open deck and is licensed for 100 persons. Particularly noteworthy: Compared with conventionally powered ships of the same size, the "Altaussee" saves 17 tons of CO 2 annually and only incurs electricity costs of less than 1,500 euros. There is regular service from May to October, and the e-ship can also be chartered for groups and celebrations.
Totes Gebirge and Lake Altaussee - an Eldorado for nature lovers
If you glide gently over the water with the "Altaussee", you should definitely take a pair of binoculars, because the wetlands adjacent to the lake form habitats for many animal and plant species. With a little luck, you might even spot a magnificent great egret. In 2006 the region "Totes Gebirge" with Lake Altaussee was designated as a European protected area according to the Birds Directive as well as the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive. Golden eagles and peregrine falcons, eagle owls and wallcreepers breed on the walls of the surrounding mountains. The primeval forest-like forests provide an ideal habitat for rare owls and woodpeckers as well as ring ouzels, spruce crossbills or linnets.
New era also on Lake Constance
Since the fall of 2022, the MS Insel Mainau has been operating on Lake Constance as a large electric ship that can carry up to 300 people. Because it is built as a catamaran, its two hulls offer significantly less water resistance and consequently a smaller amount of energy for propulsion. Above the open deck of the 33-meter-long ship is a photovoltaic system that can cover up to a third of the energy needs of the "MS Insel Mainau" in sunny weather. Over midday and at night, the high-performance batteries are charged in the harbor at Unteruhldingen.
With the E-boat to Mainau Island
Those who take the e-ferry "Insel Mainau" to the island of the same name in Lake Constance have the opportunity to choose a combined ticket with island admission directly from the Bodensee Schiffsbetriebe (BSB). In this way, visitors reach the island harbor in Lake Überlingen in a climate-friendly way and enter the palace park and 'floating botanical garden' in the area of the lakeside garden.
Festival of the senses on the island of flowers
To explore the 45-hectare island, you should bring some time, because there is much to discover. The park is divided into thematic areas, many of which have a botanical focus. In summer, a colorful and cheerful perennial garden in particular attracts numerous visitors, as does a strictly geometrically laid out rose garden in the immediate vicinity of the baroque castle ensemble. Great views of Lake Constance are offered by the Mediterranean terraces or the spring avenue, which in spring is framed by meadow plantings of crocuses, daffodils and tulips. Each season is accompanied by a different flowering highlight, so the spring bloom is followed by the rhododendrons and peonies, in summer the focus is on the rose bloom, but there are also hydrangeas and exotic bed arrangements with large specimen plants such as palms, banana plants or the fuchsias called "Old Mainau" to marvel at. The fall coloration of the woody plants as well as the quieter winter time, when flocks of water birds can be observed, are also reasons to pay a visit to the island. The palm house in the castle area as well as a spacious tropical butterfly house with exotic planting and a small waterfall offer dreamlike places to linger on cooler or rainy days.
Various gastronomic establishments invite visitors to linger and enjoy, with a particular focus on regional and seasonal offerings. For example, apple juice from the island's own Bioland cultivation is available, and Mainau is also striving to steadily increase the organic content of its dishes and its vegan-vegetarian offerings.
Sustainable nature experience
The island of Mainau has been on a sustainability course since 1961. Lennart Count Bernadotte, the island's owner at the time, initiated the Mainau Talks, which resulted in the "Green Charter of Mainau"; a manifesto for environmental protection and one of the first sustainability documents of the young Federal Republic. Since then, Count Bernadotte and his children Bettina Countess Bernadotte and Björn Count Bernadotte have managed the island in this spirit. In 1998, Mainau Island became the first German tourism enterprise and the only botanical garden in Europe to be certified under the Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and aims to be climate-neutral by 2030. The sustainability aspect is incorporated into the visitor experience in various ways. For example, there are information stations on water and native bird species. An insect garden, nesting aids for birds, bat boxes and one or two taller meadow areas bear witness to the biodiversity and species protection commitment on the Flower Island. During the flower year from March to October, the Mainau Plant Advisory Service is present on site to answer questions and provide tips on ecological gardening at home.
When leaving on the e-ferry, it is a good idea to buy some organic wood-fired bread from the island bakery for the evening meal.
Electric-powered excursion boats are increasingly being used not only in Germany, but also in other countries. For example, electric passenger ships are gradually being used on Lake Zurich, and in Amsterdam even the entire fleet of canal boats must become emission-free by 2025.
Ferries and houseboats - electrification is advancing
The White Fleet in Stralsund operates, among other things, the solar ferry "Sünje" on Lake Sellin in the vacation region of Mönchgut-Granitz. Here, it operates a shuttle service between Sellin and Baabe. Buses, the baths railroad and ship traffic are coordinated here, particularly in terms of climate protection. In addition, guests of the cooperating communities receive a ticket for free and barrier-free transportation upon presentation of their spa card.
The solar-assisted e-ferry "Sünje" does not pollute the environment with soot particles, CO2, nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides.
People who value independence and prefer to plan their own water routes can now purchase or rent electric houseboats.
Those who travel with a solar houseboat like this one from "BunBo - Das BungalowBoot" can silently stalk idyllic natural hideaways.
At Aquare Charter GmbH in Brandenburg an der Havel, 150 BunBo houseboats are available for rent. In 2022, the solar-electric age also began here with the model 1200E. It has 4+2 berths with two separate bunks, in addition there is a fold-out sofa bed in the living room.
The solar system on the roof provides 6 KW peak power, the range of the 1200E is up to 40 kilometers without additional solar radiation. Still in 2022, two more boats of this electric model were manufactured, and 10 more are projected for 2023. A prime example of sustainable, emission-free tourism.
Text: Peter Grett
Images:
Lead story, Images 1,2,3: Bayrische Seenschifffahrt
Image 4: Staffelsee Motorschifffahrt GmbH
Images 5,6: Stern Schifffahrt GmbH
Image 7: Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH
Images 8,9: Mainau GmbH
Image 10: WEISSE FLOTTE GmbH
Images 11,12: Aquare Charter GmbH