I was idly wondering if it was possible to charge an electric car on a cross channel ferry
They do seem to have some appropriate infrastructure on the vehicle decks. Ceeform sockets, by the look of it. I assume it's primarily there to keep the refrigeration going on lorries without them having to run their engines.
Ultimately, there's little point in recharging an electric vehicle with a ferry's diesel engine, other than convenience for the driver. I don't think we're going to get rapid chargers on cross-channel ferries, as they're so expensive, but AC charging might become common on longer routes.
Recharge in 10 minutes but only 30 minute crossings.
Still it's a start.
https://www.wired.com/2013/02/electric-ferry/
They're also mucking about with hydrogen in the Orkneys, with a view to eventually being able to power their ferries with all the cheap wind power they have there. Apparently a major sticking point is a lack of sailors qualified in handling hydrogen. Currently they're using fuel cells on the dock to provide the ferry with shore power, with a view to moving it to the ship to replace the auxiliaries in due course, and developing the experience needed before scaling it up to the main engines.
