Hybrid Water Taxi – Silent Navigation Through Venice’s Historic Center
Sector: Urban Marine Mobility
End Customer: Cooperativa Serenissima
Project Summary
Partial electrification of a traditional Venetian water taxi, enabling silent navigation through the city’s historic canals. The project combined the reliability of a diesel engine with a smart electric system, ensuring low-emission operation in environmentally sensitive urban areas.
Background
Venice has introduced increasingly strict regulations on emissions and noise pollution in its historic lagoon. The customer needed a solution that would allow easy switching between diesel and full-electric modes, depending on the navigation zone.
Customer Requirements
- Access to low-emission and low-noise zones
- Silent propulsion in tourist and residential areas
- Compatibility with the existing engine compartment
- Easy charging from shore (220–230V standard socket)
FACOS Solution
FACOS delivered a highly compact and integrated hybrid system, consisting of:
NAUTY 900 → combined module including Drive + BMS Master + onboard AC charger
BatteryPack LiFePO₄ – 48V → safe lithium battery with integrated BMS and self-heating function
EPM900 → energy management module with DC-DC converter for onboard services
Key Technologies
- Integrated brushless drive
- Self-heating LiFePO₄ BatteryPack
- Built-in AC charger (Schuko plug)
- Compact architecture suitable for retrofit into existing engine bays
Results Achieved
- ✅ Silent navigation in the city center
- ✅ First hybrid taxi operational in Venice
- ✅ Reduced local emissions
- ✅ Convenient charging at any dock
- ✅ No structural modifications to the original boat
The project also garnered attention in the local press. La Nuova Venezia published an article highlighting the initiative, referring to FACOS as “a company from Moncalieri” responsible for developing the prototype:
Looking to electrify your urban vessel?
Share your project with us: we design custom electric or hybrid systems for water taxis and workboats.