Electrika -- the electric boat show

The Water Road podcast visits the Electrika Boat Show, focusing on electric boats and sustainable canal travel. The episode explores the origins of the show with organizer Paul, who wanted to share information for electric boat owners. Rob from Ortomarine discusses their move to building hybrid electric boats due to environmental concerns, detailing the different types of electric drives available (all-electric, parallel hybrid, and series hybrid) and how the best choice depends on the owner's needs. Ricky from Finesse Boat Builders explains their preference for series hybrid systems. Nigel and Sue from Narrowboat Tethys share their experience of living on an electric boat, emphasizing the peace and quiet, while Bill from Narrowboat Electric Dragon discusses the practicality of using a generator for longer trips. Caroline from Ortomarine presents data on how electric boats significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to diesel boats. Matthew Symonds and Ewan Harris from the Canal and River Trust address the challenges and future possibilities of expanding electric charging infrastructure and achieving net-zero emissions on the canals.