Corvus Energy to Supply 40 MWh of Dolphin NxtGen Batteries for BC Ferries' Summit Class Ships

BC Ferries has selected Corvus Energy to supply battery systems for four new hybrid-electric passenger and car ferries in its Summit Class, with a combined installed capacity of 40 MWh.

What Happened

Corvus Energy will deliver 10 MWh of batteries per vessel for the four ships—named Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple, and Summit Spruce. The systems are sized to accommodate an additional 60 MWh per ferry, potentially bringing each vessel to 70 MWh total capacity. The Dolphin NxtGen Power system features liquid-cooled power cells, improved energy density, and enhanced safety architecture. BC Ferries cited Corvus's experience with large-scale marine battery installations, its operational presence in British Columbia, and its work powering the operator's existing Island Class ferries as factors in the selection. Each double-ended ferry will carry up to 360 vehicles and 2,100 passengers and crew.

Why It Matters

The Summit Class vessels are designed with diesel-battery hybrid propulsion compatible with biofuel or renewable diesel, with architecture that can support a later transition to near-zero-emission, all-electric operation once shore charging infrastructure is in place. The ships' potential 70 MWh capacity could allow nearly emission-free sailing for up to two hours on battery power alone. For ferry operators and maritime fleet managers evaluating electrification paths, the scalable battery design offers a practical bridge strategy—delivering immediate emissions reductions while preserving an upgrade pathway.

The Bottom Line

The first Summit Class vessel is scheduled for delivery by 2029 from China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Group Weihai Shipyard, with all four ferries expected to enter service by 2031. Corvus Energy CEO Fredrik Witte noted that the batteries were developed at the company's Product Development Hub in Vancouver, BC.