Governor Jay Inslee Directs $170 Million for Hybrid-Electric Puget Sound Ferries

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Jay Inslee and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Secretary Roger Millar announced on Monday the allocation of $170 million in state funding derived from the Climate Commitment Act to award contracts for two new 144-car hybrid-electric Olympic-class passenger-vehicle ferries and install 12-megawatt automated shore-charging arms at key ferry terminals on Puget Sound.

The investment represents the next major milestone in the Washington State Ferries (WSF) Long Range Plan, addressing widespread service disruptions caused by an aging diesel fleet where multiple 50-year-old vessels have faced extended emergency drydock repairs.

Electrifying America's Largest Ferry System The $170 million package finances:

• 2 Hybrid-Electric Olympic-Class Vessels: $120 million for two 144-car vessels featuring lithium-ion battery banks paired with backup ultra-low-sulfur diesel generators, designed to operate 100% on electric battery power during standard crossings.
• High-Power Automated Shore Charging: $35 million installing automated robotic pantograph charging arms at Colman Dock in Seattle, Bainbridge Island, and Bremerton, delivering rapid 12-MW battery recharges during standard 15-minute passenger loading windows.
• Shipyard Workforce Training: $15 million supporting maritime building trades apprenticeships in naval architecture, marine electrical engineering, and high-voltage battery maintenance.

"Washington operates the largest ferry system in the nation, and our ferries are a critical marine highway for millions of residents and businesses," Governor Jay Inslee said during an announcement at Colman Dock in Seattle. "By investing $170 million to build brand-new, clean hybrid-electric vessels right here in Washington shipyards, we are restoring reliable ferry service for island and peninsula commuters while drastically cutting diesel pollution in our waters."

Commuter advocacy groups, Puget Sound environmental organizations, and maritime labor unions praised the procurement, emphasizing that modern hybrid vessels slash operating maintenance costs and provide a quiet, zero-emission transit experience for riders.