Soon, you can ride a “Tesla” at Niagara Falls as part of the new Maiden of the Mist experience, but it won’t be a Model 3 or Cybertruck …
The group hosting tours at the historic natural wonder decided to upgrade its fleet from fossil-fuel burners to carbon free, all-electric boats so passengers won’t be breathing exhaust while sightseeing.
One of the tour boats is named after Nikola Tesla, who engineered and built the worlds first large-scale hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls.
Some of the highlights listed by the Maiden of the Mist folks –
- Are among the first all-electric passenger vessels in North America
- Utilize lithium-ion battery power that recharges to 80% each trip
- Produce zero emissions
- Operate nearly silently with little to no vibration
- Have complete redundancy in propulsion and battery power, with independent systems located in each hull
- Are made from 5086 H116 marine-grade, a superior marine-environment, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy
- Won’t have diesel or combustion-based backup propulsion systems; unlike most other electric vessels, these will not be hybrid vessels
- Utilize forward bow thrusters to further enhance the steering capabilities, allowing the vessel to maneuver sideways and dock with ease
- Are designed to reduce both heeling and wave-induced motion, compared to a single-hull vessels.
Wishing you fair winds, calm seas and electricity …
