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Assertion: Electrification is likely not a solution for decarbonizing global shipping

Electrification is not a viable solution for decarbonizing global shipping due to several significant challenges. The most critical issue is the low energy density of current battery technology, which falls short of what is needed to power large, ocean-going vessels over long distances. Ships consume vast amounts of energy for extended voyages, and existing batteries are too bulky and heavy to meet this demand without severely reducing cargo capacity and operational efficiency.

A 2022 study by the International Council on Clean Transportation explored the potential for electric-powered aircraft and highlighted similar challenges. The study found that lithium-ion batteries would need to quadruple their volumetric energy density (measured in watt-hours per liter) and increase their gravimetric energy density (measured in watt-hours per kilogram) by nine times 2022 levels to make large electric aircraft feasible.1

Given these significant technical hurdles, electrification is unlikely to be a practical solution for decarbonizing large-scale shipping or aviation in the foreseeable future. Alternative fuels and technologies will need to be prioritized to achieve meaningful emissions reductions in these sectors.

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Footnotes​

  1. Mukhopadhaya, J. (2022, July 14). What to expect when expecting electric airplanes. International Council on Clean Transportation. https://theicct.org/aviation-global-expecting-electric-jul22/ ↩