EcoPro Electrolyser Cuts Emissions, Reduces Fuel Use and Improves Engine Life
“Bringing emissions down and keeping the air clean is the main reason for having the technology, but you get fuel saving as well,” Kevin Favis owner of the Emma Jane.
Over the past 15 years, Devon-based company Ecomotus Ltd has focused on developing clean, cost-effective technology for reducing emissions in hard-to-decarbonise industries — particularly commercial fishing.
Founded by Jason and Kirstyn Munro, the company has worked closely with marine operators to create a hydrogen-based solution that enhances combustion inside diesel engines, rather than treating emissions after they exit the exhaust.
The result is the EcoPro Electrolyser, a patented hydrogen system. The system delivers hydrogen via a non-pressure feed into the air filter, where the engine’s negative pressure draws it into the natural combustion cycle. The system is RINA type-approved and accepted by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Unlike theoretical solutions that require full electrification or hydrogen bunkering, the EcoPro is already in use — installed aboard 26 UK fishing vessels and showing practical, measurable results.
EcoPro Electrolyser: How the System Works
At the core of the system is an electrolyser that produces hydrogen on demand from deionised water. The hydrogen is then injected into the air intake of a diesel engine to create a more enriched air-fuel mixture. This optimises combustion and significantly reduces unburnt fuel, soot, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other harmful emissions.
The system is fully self-contained and operates at atmospheric pressure, with no need for hydrogen storage. The oxygen by-product from the electrolysis process is safely vented to the atmosphere. A built-in computer calculates and delivers the correct hydrogen dosage for the engine’s operating load.
Ecomotus refined the EcoPro system through a collaboration with Low Carbon Devon and the University of Plymouth. Power Electronics Research Fellow Jonathan Bloor supported the development of new monitoring and control systems, including a remote-access dashboard that displays real-time metrics such as hydrogen production, fuel savings, and emissions reduction. The 4G monitoring system allows both customers and the Ecomotus team to track system performance and identify any issues remotely.
Why Hydrogen Works for Fishing Vessels
Conventional diesel engines use only about 70% of the fuel they consume. The remaining 30% is typically lost as unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon soot, which damages engines and increases emissions. By enriching the air-fuel mixture with hydrogen, EcoPro helps the fuel burn more completely. This cleaner combustion reduces carbon build-up inside the engine, extends component life, and decreases the amount of harmful gases expelled through the exhaust.
The system requires minimal maintenance — daily checks of the deionised water reservoir — and begins cleaning the engine immediately upon installation. Over time, it also reduces the frequency of oil changes and other routine servicing, further lowering operational costs.
For an industry under pressure from rising fuel prices and the withdrawal of red diesel subsidies, EcoPro offers a practical, retrofit-ready solution. Pure hydrogen and battery-electric propulsion remain out of reach for most working vessels, both due to cost and infrastructure. The EcoPro system provides a bridge between today’s diesel-dependent operations and future low-carbon standards.
Real-World Results
EcoPro Electrolyser users around the UK coast are now reporting measurable savings: fuel consumption down by as much as 10%, carbon emissions reduced by up to 30%, and engine maintenance intervals significantly extended. Unlike electric retrofits or full engine replacements, the EcoPro system bolts onto existing diesel engines with minimal disruption and delivers immediate returns.
CRYSTAL SEA - Newlyn
Skippered by brothers David and Alec Stevens, the 24.5-metre twin-rig trawler Crystal Sea had the EcoPro installed in late 2022, with full operation beginning in January 2023. The vessel’s 490-kilowatt engine has shown measurable performance gains.
“We use around 8% less fuel, saving somewhere between 500 and 1,000 litres a week,” said David Stevens. “With the fuel price currently at £0.80/litre, we save a good £400-800 every week.”
That equates to a payback period of less than six months. David added: “In fact, I would say we’ve got our money back already. The EcoPro lessens maintenance as the oil doesn’t get anywhere near as dirty as it used to. We could probably go double the operating time between oil changes if we wanted to.”
EMMA JANE - Salcombe
Owned by the family firm Favis of Salcombe, the Emma Jane was the first fishing vessel to trial the EcoPro system four years ago. The 18-metre, 317-kilowatt super crabber has seen ongoing benefits since installation.
“Bringing emissions down and keeping the air clean is the main reason for having the technology,” said owner Kevin Favis. “But you get fuel saving as well.”
The vessel now saves around 10% on fuel — roughly £350 per week — while working harder than before. Remote monitoring allows performance optimisation, and inspections have shown engine components in unusually clean condition.
A recent independent engine report noted: “It is plausible that reduction in total diesel burnt by the introduction of hydrogen dosing has created a cleaner burn over the engine’s lifespan and has not induced any evident risk for early failure.”
Practical Benefits and Industry Outlook
Adrian Bartlett, a retired crabber and Head of Marine Operations at Ecomotus, has led outreach to the fishing sector and helped coordinate sea trials.
“There is considerable pressure on the fishing industry to reduce emissions through new technology,” said Bartlett. “While there’s funding out there to go electric, it’s not really a practical solution for a lot of people yet. There’s currently no cost-effective way forward for vessel engines, and this is where the Ecomotus EcoPro fits in.”
Bartlett emphasises that unlike conventional after-treatment systems, the EcoPro system works at the point of combustion. “We’re burning fuel better inside the engine, not relying on filters or scrubbers to clean it up after.”
According to Ecomotus, EcoPro systems have already saved an estimated 1,278 tonnes of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere. The company is preparing to scale up production once trials of its updated electronics are complete. It continues to receive interest from transportation, offshore wind support, and logistics operators — sectors that also depend heavily on diesel engines.
While the EcoPro is not a silver bullet for full decarbonisation, it is a proven technology that delivers quantifiable environmental and economic benefits. For vessel owners facing rising costs, tightening regulations, and limited clean alternatives, it represents a rare opportunity: reduce emissions, lower fuel bills, and extend engine life — all without changing how the vessel is operated.
