Torqeedo, electric boat manufacturer, has announced it has retrofitted at least four of the 90 boats transporting athletes for the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony parade on the River Seine. 

During the parade on July 26, Mistinguett will be a highlight as the longest and heaviest electric boat to ever cruise on the Seine. The vessel will be powered by two Torqeedo Deep Blue 100i electric motors and six new Deep Blue Battery 80 units.  This comes after the company recently announced its plans to make viable propellors from ocean plastics.

Matthias Vogel, senior vice president of the Customised Solutions Business Unit at Torqeedo, says: “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 Customised Solutions Business Unit project while setting new standards in sustainability for the 2024 Olympic Games. 

“The conversion of the Mistinguett to an all-electric propulsion system demonstrates how traditional vessels can be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to glide quietly and emission-free across the water in the future. As the world leader in electric mobility on the water, we have been developing customised electric propulsion solutions for over 19 years to create the best boating experience for our customers.”

The Mistinguett will be the first fully electric ferry of its size on the Seine and can accommodate up to 248 passengers. It will continue its role beyond the Paris Olympics, offering tourist cruises and serving as an event venue, for example, hosting shows, team building events and various other celebrations. 

Such an initiative is part of a broader push for sustainable transport in France. The French government, through agencies like Voies Navigables de France (VNF), is offering substantial subsidies – up to 90 per cent of retrofit costs – to encourage the adoption of electric propulsion in boats. 

This news comes after France allocated €1.4bn to clean up the river in preparation for the Olympics. Rooster has five of its supported sailors preparing to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games.

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