General Electric is making plans to produce electric powered tugboats, as reported in green transportation blog Autopia.

The diesel-electric tugboats would burn 35% less fuel than current running models, and emit 80% less pollution. This comes at a time when the shipping business is being called out for being even less greener than the airline business.

Federal and state legislation is also calling for the green-i-fi-cation of the shipping business, and below is a statement from GE, on why start with tugboats?

There are about 4,000 tugboats in America, according to the American Waterways Operators, and Tom Kelly of C-Mar says they’re well-suited to diesel-electric drivetrains. Tugs spend a lot of time idling on standby, then require a short burst of high power to escort freighters and tankers. Batteries would allow them to do both without burning loads of fuel or emitting lots of pollution.

The tugboat will use either a GE V228 or V250 Diesel Engine, the exact motor and batteries are still under development, and not known. The GE hybrid powered tugboats will be have a similar infrastructure as the Chevy Volt. (also being developed by GE)

Significant fuel savings are in the works for skippers!