Navigating the Future: Electric Vehicles Aren’t the Only Answer

By David Tyler, Co-Founder & Director of Artemis Technologies. 

2025 is the year of ambitious sustainability goals, with urban jungles like New York City prioritizing dollars spent towards initiatives that actively make a positive climate impact. Transportation accounts for nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and while some ground has been made towards implementing greener transit solutions, too many are relying on electric vehicles (EVs) as the number one source of eco-friendly urban mobility. While EVs are essential for supporting a sustainable urban environment, there is a solution being overlooked: clean maritime transport.

Many coastal cities receive millions of dollars in public funding towards EV infrastructure. New York City, for example, received a grant for $15 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Additionally, programs like the EPA’s Clean Ports Program are providing targeted funding to reduce emissions in the maritime sector, indicating that steps are being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, as urban and coastal areas continue to grow, these initiatives signal just the beginning – more can still be done to ensure comprehensive, sustainable solutions that address all facets of urban mobility and emissions reduction. Marine transportation in no way should or will replace EVs but rather complement them by serving routes and transit needs that EVs aren’t best suited for, such as cross-harbor travel or where congestion on road and rail networks is a challenge. Particularly in cities along coastlines, rivers or large lakes, this enables a well-rounded, multimodal transportation network that takes advantage of local geographic features, while minimizing carbon emissions. 

In addition to opening up new transit routes, investing in clean marine transport presents unique advantages such as: 

• Offering hubs for nearby islands or outlying communities (i.e. areas like Boston, Seattle or even Chesapeake Bay) by providing essential connectivity that land-based EVs cannot replace. Ferries and water taxis are often the only viable public option for residents in these communities.
• Alleviating road congestion by offering an alternative route for commuter traffic to waterways, which can ease pressure and reduce commuting times, while still being efficient. 
• Waterways are natural transportation corridors and don’t require the same extensive infrastructure investments in both time and cost that road or rail networks require. Port facilities usually require less maintenance in comparison to road construction and repairs that are disruptive and expensive. 
• Electric foiling ferries and water taxis are a sustainable alternative to EVs, as they significantly reduce carbon transportation emissions while still ensuring accessible and efficient transport to urban centers.

Ultimately, cities that choose to invest in clean, sustainable marine transportation options can diversify their transit portfolio, leverage natural waterways and support sustainability goals in ways that enhance resilience, reduce emissions and support unique city-specific needs. Combined with continued expansion of EVs will support unlocking smarter, more resilient cities of the future. 

David is a co-founder and board member of Artemis Technologies, a global leader in transformative clean maritime solutions. David was instrumental in the creation of the Belfast Maritime Consortium, led by Artemis Technologies, including securing of a grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund to develop the company’s transformative Artemis eFoiler® technology and launch the world’s first 100% electric foiling passenger ferry.  David wrote this piece for American Maritime VOICES.