There are many electric ferries being rolled out, but none are quite like Ellen. Using only clean energy generated from wind turbines, the e-ferry is funded by the European Commission and powered by lithium-ion batteries from Swiss firm Leclanché. CNNMoney Switzerland was invited on board the record-breaking vessel in Denmark for an exclusive look at its design and to talk about how Ellen could shape the future of electric transport.Meet the world’s largest e-ferry
Ellen, the world’s largest electric ferry, sets a record for how long it can go without a recharge. The e-ferry is powered by specialized Swiss Leclanché lithium-ion batteries.
A glimpse into the world’s largest, most powerful electric ferry
There are many electric ferries being rolled out, but none are quite like Ellen. Using only clean energy generated from wind turbines, the e-ferry is funded by the European Commission and powered by lithium-ion batteries from Swiss firm Leclanché. CNNMoney Switzerland was invited on board the record-breaking vessel in Denmark for an exclusive look at its design and to talk about how Ellen could shape the future of electric transport.
LiFi technology may be the answer to the dangers of 5G
Implementing 5G could push Switzerland past its allowed limit for radio waves. “You need ten times more antennas, ten times more power than with 4G,” says Suat Topsu, inventor and CEO of Erganeo. His solution is a new version of LiFi, a technology that uses LED light to transmit data safely, which may significantly reduce the number of antennas needed for 5G.
German tech start-up waiting for a “yes” from the Swiss
After the 2008 financial crisis, the shipping industry took a hard hit. SkySails CEO Stephan Wrage saw an opportunity for his special technology: using massive kites to propel ships and produce electrical power. “We’re sold out for next year, for the first time ever,” he says. Wrage goes on to explain why competition makes him happy and why Switzerland, which has said “no” many times, could really benefit from their technology.
How Swiss start-ups can benefit from India’s health-tech boom
Swissnex India sees the rise of India’s medtech sector as potentially advantageous to Swiss start-ups. But the relationship could be mutually beneficial, says Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan, principal scientific adviser to India’s government: “There’s a substantial fire in the belly in India, and there’s a substantial capability in Switzerland.”
SBB needs foreign workers to stay on track, says its CEO
Access to the EU and the free movement of people are high on the priority list for the outgoing CEO of SBB, Andreas Meyer. When it comes to internal competition, however, he’s “absolutely convinced” that it doesn’t help consumers. His bets for the future are more on digitalization of the so-called mobility chains.
How Switzerland plans to stay ahead of the world’s mobility competition
From trains to buses to e-scooters, SBB and Lucerne-based Axon Vibe explain how they plan to integrate all forms of Swiss mobility under one app. While their new platform integrates Google Maps, Axon Vibe insists that it will treat data privacy in a “totally different way.” And it hopes this app will be a hit in foreign markets, too.
A possible end to plastic as we know it
The World Economic Forum has called bioplastic one of the top 10 emerging technologies of 2019. Swiss start-up Bloom Biorenewables wants to replace petroleum—one of the key elements of plastic—with a greener, more sustainable option. Co-founders Remy Buser and Florent Héroguel are combining chemistry with technology to find a petroleum alternative that will put a dent in our carbon footprint.