Where I live companies are moving to electric ferries because they’re cheaper to operate, require less maintenance, and are much quieter for the passengers. Plus they don’t emit any exhaust fumes while idling at the dock.
The port also has an electric tug boat, which their reports say is very handy because it changes power output much faster than diesel tugs. Charging times are not a factor according to their reports.
Our power grid is 80+% renewable though.
Of course the article ignores that it’s easier to improve the emissions of a few large powerplants than every car, ferry and scooter, and that the minerals in batteries don’t disappear after use.
Also, large power plants are much more efficient than small ICEs. Combined cycle power plants can have a LHV efficiency in excess of 60%.
> the minerals in batteries don’t disappear after use.
For all practical purposes they might, depending on how the batteries are disposed of.
It seems unlikely that the disposal will leave the lithium in a state that’s harder to refine than natural deposits (which are extremely dilute).