New electric research boat creates a (quiet) splash in Grand Traverse Bay

The Freshwater Research Innovation Center in Traverse City has purchased an all-electric, 24-foot rigid inflatable research boat using a state grant aimed at greening Michigan's maritime sector. Built by Vita Power, the vessel will dock at Discovery Pier and be used starting next spring by students and scientists to collect samples and map lakebeds on the Great Lakes.

The purchase joins a small but growing network of electric boats and chargers around Grand Traverse Bay, including stations at marinas in Northport and Elk Rapids. At Elk Rapids, the marina's co-owner reports the charger gets more use from electric jet skis than boats so far, though he hopes open houses next year will build interest.

Industry figures acknowledge the obvious: electric boats remain a niche product held back by high costs and boaters' fear of running out of charge far from shore. They expect prices to fall as government incentives and production volume increase, which is the same thing every nascent clean-tech industry says about itself.

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