Top tourist destination makes waves with electric trip boat

TUESDAY 8TH JULY 2025 A trip boat serving one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions has received an electrifying makeover. 

The much-loved Antonine passenger vessel, which takes guests on daily trips on The Falkirk Wheel and under the world heritage site of the Antonine Wall, has converted from a diesel engine to all-electric propulsion.

The conversion of the vessel, which has capacity for 96 passengers, follows the launch of self-drive eBoats at the popular tourist sites of The Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies in 2023. 

With the Antonine carrying more than 50,000 passengers each year, it is expected that the conversion to electric will save 150 tonnes of carbon over the next ten years. 

Converting the 23-year-old vessel was a challenging prospect and required design of a bespoke solution by Bristol’s NoPuttPutt. This family business, founded by father and son Hugo Palmer and Mark Palmer in 2016, has recently evolved from eBike manufacturing to electric boat conversions too. 

The refit involved removing the diesel engine and hydraulic components, installing a 50kW direct-drive electric motor, and converting the thrusters to electric operation. The battery life, requiring 13 hours of overnight charging time, is sufficient for twenty 90-minute trips (for days' worth of trips), using an average of 7.5kWh per trip.

The revamp of the vessel is also expected to extend its operational lifetime. Scottish Canals is now beginning work to carry out a similar conversion on the Archimedes, its other passenger vessel at The Falkirk Wheel.   

Ross McMillan, Head of Destinations at Scottish Canals said: “Today’s launch of an all-electric passenger boat at The Falkirk Wheel is another step forward towards our net zero goals. 

“The upgrade of the Antonine will not only improve our customers’ experience, as they embark on their journey up on the world’s only rotating boat lift, but will also help us to continue to meet our high sustainability practices already recognised throughout the site.” 

Earlier this year, The Falkirk Wheel was awarded the prestigious Gold Green Tourism Award highlighting its unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.