Electric ferry under construction for Wellington will be first in Southern Hemisphere (RNZ)

Wellington's new electric cross-harbour ferry is shaping up to slash its owners' fuel bill by $250,000 a year.

The ferry, which is being built and assembled by the Wellington Electric Boat Building Company, will carry up to 135 people across the capital's harbour, making about six return trips each day.

It is due to enter service in the first half of next year, joining East by West's two 600 and 660 horsepower diesel ferries which between them carry about 500 people across the harbour each day…