NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) - The Maid of the Mist boats that bring tourists to the base of Niagara Falls are going electric.
The company on Friday announced plans to launch two zero-emission passenger vessels during the coming tourist season. The boats will be powered by high-capacity battery packs.
The new vessels are expected to go into service in mid-September and replace the existing diesel-engine vessels that will operate on the lower Niagara River until then.
The Swiss technology company ABB is supplying the lithium-ion battery packs and an onshore charging system. The batteries will be recharged for seven minutes after each trip.
The Maid of the Mist first launched in 1846.
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