Hybrid cars are all the rage nowadays. Being environmentally friendly, you see newer editions surfacing with each passing day. However, French & Webb, the French boat builder, innovates in introducing the technology into one of its boats. All set to take to the waters next month, the diesel/electric boat took almost a year to manufacture.
While affixing the hybrid engine to the boat, the maker was aware of its additional costs but the imminent fuel savings boosted his endeavor further. The diesel engine and the solar arrays help recharge the electric battery. When the battery is fully charged, the electric engine capably does 7 knots for 3 hours. However, if you reduce the speed to 5 knots, the batteries last for five hours.
Nothing to worry about if you want to go sailing for 35 hours at one stretch at 18 knots, the back-up diesel engine takes care of it using a gallon of fuel for an hour.
Via: Village Soup