Neot Green Mobility supports the ecological transition in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region with the retrofit of 9 cruise boats operating on Lake Annecy and Lac du Bourget

Neot Green Mobility, in partnership with Groupe Tourisme Participations (Compagnie des bateaux du lac du Bourget à Aix les Bains (73), du lac d’Annecy et du Léman), recently finalized an innovative electric retrofit project, transforming a fleet of cruise ships into a zero-emission solution in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This project is part of our commitment to promoting sustainable mobility and energy transition technologies in the inland navigation sector.

The project involves equipping nine boats with 100% electric propulsion: five boats on Lake Annecy, including the restaurant boat “Le LIBELLULE” with 250 seats, and four promenade boats (with a capacity of 150 to 200 places), and four boats on Lake Bourget at Aix les Bains: two restaurant boats with 75 to 150 places and two promenade boats, one of which is specially equipped for transporting bicycles (with a capacity of 60 to 130 places). This retrofit was made possible thanks to an eight-year Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) contract, coexisting with the financing already in place on the hulls, as well as subsidies from the PAMI, the Auvergne Rhône Alpes Region, and the agglomeration communities, and energy-saving certificates offered by EDF.

The fleet aims to offer passengers an immersive, environmentally-friendly experience, allowing them to enjoy the silence of the lakeside landscape while helping to preserve some of Europe’s cleanest lakes.

Technology to help preserve the environment

The conversion of these ships to electric motors meets a growing demand for environmentally-friendly transport solutions, as well as the decarbonization targets set for 2050. By converting its entire fleet, Tourisme Participations will reduce its CO2 emissions from almost 2,500 tonnes to just 50 tonnes per year, while making significant savings on fuel costs. The transition to electric engines should also change the nature of the fleet and considerably reduce maintenance costs in the long term, as well as significantly improving working conditions for crews.

Philippe Gausset, Chairman of Tourisme Participations, explains: “Our commitment to this transition to electric propulsion stems from our responsibility to the collective preservation of the lakes and to future generations. Preserving the exceptional setting of Lac d’Annecy and Lac du Bourget and improving air and water quality is a priority for us, without compromising on the passenger experience.”

A collaboration that reflects NEoT Green Mobility’s vision

For Neot Green Mobility, this collaboration marks a significant step forward in supporting sustainable mobility solutions for shipping. “This pioneering project demonstrates our ability to offer concrete, impactful solutions to support river and maritime operators in their transition to less emissive technologies,” says Philippe Ringenbach, CEO of Neot Green Mobility. “By integrating appropriate financing solutions, we are supporting Tourisme Participations’ ambitions to become a key player in sustainable tourism.”

This project embodies Neot Green Mobility’s commitment to developing environmentally-friendly mobility solutions, thus contributing to an accelerated energy transition for fleets operating on European lakes and rivers.