Description (EN): In Sweden there are about 500,000 motor-powered pleasure boats, in Norway almost as many, many along the coast. Today, virtually all recreational boats are powered by fossil fuels and cause, in addition to the climate impact, also environmentally harmful emissions. In Sweden and Norway, CO2 emissions from recreational craft are estimated at over 400,000 tonnes/year. Globally, the leisure boat market is a billion-dollar industry and a sector that is today stuck in fossil energy use. There is a great need for a green transition with smart technology and sustainable business models. Recreational craft are basically well suited for electrification and a technology shift to electric power is possible, in a similar way to road traffic. There are pioneer companies that offer electric boats, not least in Sweden and Norway. The interest and the market are growing and the development is comparable to the electric car market a number of years ago. Prerequisites for a rapid transition are that there are expanded charging infrastructure, well functioning and attractive products and a conscious and interested market of boat enthusiasts. In order to maximise environmental benefits, renewable electricity production is also required. Along the Skagerrak coast in Norway and Sweden there is a distinct recreational boat culture with a large number of ports, marine attractions and hundreds of thousands of pleasure boats. Boat tourism in the region is extensive. The region also has a long tradition of boat manufacturing and many companies in the marine sector, as well as excellence in electrification, electrical technology and renewable energy. The aim of the project is to contribute to transforming the recreational craft sector into electric power, with the Skagerrak region as its forerunner and at the same time to strengthen and develop the regional industry in the sector. The vision is for the region to become a world leader in both the use and production of electric pleasure craft. This will be done by increasing the knowledge and interest of key target groups and testing and demonstrating charging infrastructure. The following areas of work are included: Increase the knowledge and interest of ports and municipalities: Ports are central to the transition. The project will increase interest and competence in electric boat charging in the region’s ports and municipalities through extensive information and training efforts. Create and test charging solutions: In the participating ports, charging points for fast and slow charging are created to test and evaluate different solutions and business models, with a focus on finding cost-effective synergies, efficient use of infrastructure and new business models. Increase the interest and knowledge of boat enthusiasts: Develop and disseminate impartial information about electric boats to boat enthusiasts through an information page, regional charging map, questions-and-answers and dissemination of information at boat-related events and fairs Strengthen technology development and the region’s industry: Create a regional network of companies active in or interested in participating in the transition of the boating sector to electric power. This is to create a regional cluster with collaboration and exchange that strengthens development but also contributes to the development of the charging infrastructure. Provide testbeds to test and demonstrate new technologies and matchmaking between different companies. Increase relevant knowledge: Research on the use patterns of recreational craft creates basic knowledge that is important for the development of electric boats and charging infrastructure. Different business models for charging are investigated, as well as the impact on the grid and the potential to combine boat charging with renewable energy production. Participants are Norwegian and Swedish leisure marinas, municipal associations/county municipalities, business offices, technology experts and researchers who contribute with their respective special competencies. The project will create over 400 new charging points, a knowledge-enhancing workshop series for port operators will be implemented, a website with consumer information and charging map will be developed, a regional business network is established and two Nordic conferences will be held.
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