A fully-electric option was considered but not taken forward because fully-electric ferries are unproven in the UK for dealing with the tidal and heavy vehicle carrying requirements at Woolwich.

The new Woolwich ferries will have specialised 'hybrid' engines allowing them to run on electricity generated by the motors. To reduce emissions further, they will have special state-of-the-art systems to treat their exhausts, cutting harmful nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions. The new vessels are estimated to consume 20 per cent less fuel, reducing CO2 emissions, than the existing models. This, along with their hybrid design, means a 70 per cent reduction in NOx emissions and a 95 per cent reduction in Particulate Matter emissions.