On the occasion of the event of the year, the opening of the Paris Olympics with a starting ceremony on July 26, Torqeedo is preparing to surprise the French capital. And not only that! One of the most anticipated moments is the parade of ninety boats on the Seine, all powered by the electric motors and batteries of the world leader in electromobility.
A real stroke of genius to send a message on a global scale about sustainable water transport with Torqeedo solutions.
The decision to reduce local emissions during the opening ceremony is important, but it’s not the only twist in the opening. It’s impossible not to mention the presence of the longest and heaviest electric boat ever seen on the Seine, ‘Mistinguett’, powered by two Torqeedo Deep Blue 100i electric motors and as many as six units of the new Deep Blue Battery 80.
The athletes are transported on board the boat during the opening ceremony!
Sport and sustainability: an unforgettable ceremony
Speaking about this significant initiative is Matthias Vogel, Senior Vice President of Torqeedo’s Customized Solutions Business Unit:
“The City of Paris has set itself the goal of halving the environmental footprint of previous Olympic Games at this year’s Games. We are proud to support the city with our latest Customized Solutions Business Unit project, while setting new standards in sustainability for the 2024 Olympic Games”.
The athletes on the 240-ton, 42-meter long, electrically-powered boat, the international presentation of integrated components of the Torqeedo Customized Solution and modern technology are bound to leave their mark. This is the ticket with which Torqeedo presents itself at the Olympic Games, supporting the French authorities who want to reduce emissions and pollution in waterways and urban areas by showing that an alternative is available, it already exists, and above all it performs well.
The double battery to renew the ‘Mistinguett’
The boat was powered by a diesel engine for the propulsion system and a power generator to cover the needs of galley, lights and air cooling. The new version features, as mentioned, two Deep Blue 100i engines and six Deep Blue Battery 80 systems. This means offering a new standard of ecological transport on the Seine with zero emissions and the idea of a sustainable tourism. Each engine is equipped to provide two daily tours lasting two and a half hours each.
In addition to its reserved use during the Olympics, the ‘Mistinguett’ is a showboat and is therefore used to offer dinner cruises and artistic performances. Events, meetings, weddings, birthdays, team building and celebrations of all kinds can be attended and organized on board.
To secure each type of activity, Torqeedo relied on its Customized Solutions Business Unit to meet the demands and requirements necessary to accomplish the end goal. This is an initiative of global importance, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in transport and especially the efficiency of propulsion systems on water.
Electric propulsion of ships is a central goal for France
The Olympics are a call, an event to be used to achieve something unique that will have a huge impact on inland navigation. In France, there are 800 km of rivers and 600 km of canals to protect and preserve by revolutionizing and upgrading boats with electric propulsion. The project is linked to the Voies Navigables de France (VNF) state waterway authority.
The French reality can serve as a great example to bring more and more cities around the world to support the transition to electric propulsion for ships. An important effort that also speaks of the desire to work to reduce the carbon footprint and preserve the country’s natural waterways.
A key step, which already deserves a first medal!