SEATTLE — The Washington State Ferries vessel Wenatchee has saved about $1 million in fuel during its first year operating with a hybrid-electric system, a first step in the state’s effort to cut emissions from its ferry fleet. During a midlife overhaul, the state replaced two of the 30-year-old ferry’s four diesel engines with battery banks. The 202-vehicle Wenatchee continues to use its remaining diesel engines alongside the batteries, which help power the vessel in hybrid mode. David Sowers, who leads the Washington State Department of Transportation’s electrification program, said the vessel is burning about 13% less fuel. Ferry staff have also observed modest reductions in emissions and noise. The conversion took place as the Wenatchee underwent maintenance required after about 30 years of service. WSDOT’s Port Engineer Forrest Nicholes said the two engines were removed rather than overhauled. Sowers described the project as the largest hybrid-electric conversion of its kind in North America. The next proposed conversions, for the Puyallup and Tacoma, are on hold until additional funding is secured and new vessels begin arriving, expected in 2030. WSDOT’s longer-term plan includes charging equipment at the Seattle, Bainbridge Island and Clinton terminals in the coming years. Shore-side charging is key to running the ferries on electricity while docked, Sowers said, and could allow them to operate almost entirely on electric power when plugged in. The scale of the challenge is considerable: Washington State Ferries serves nearly 20 million passengers and burns about 19 million gallons of diesel annually. The state is aiming for an emissions-free ferry fleet by 2050. Jerry Bamburg, a Port Townsend resident who regularly rides the ferries to Seattle, said he is pleased to see the system moving toward electrification. The Wenatchee’s conversion is the first step; whether the broader transition advances will depend in part on funding, new vessel deliveries and terminal upgrades.