Marine

Pre-production electric hydrofoiling ferry rides above the waves

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The first pre-production P-12 electric hydrofoiling passenger vessel has completed its maiden voyage, flying above waters outside of Stockholm up to its top speed of 30 knots
Candela
The first pre-production P-12 electric hydrofoiling passenger vessel has completed its maiden voyage, flying above waters outside of Stockholm up to its top speed of 30 knots
Candela
The take-off speed of the P-12 Shuttle is 16 knots
Candela
The P-12 has now entered series production, with the second Shuttle model expected to enter Stockholm's public transport system from 2024
Candela
The P-12 is powered by two C-Pod electric drives and features three carbon fiber wings that are digitally-controlled to ensure a smooth trip for up to 30 passengers
Candela
P-12 Shuttle Zero features an automatic bow ramp for passengers to embark and disembark
Candela
The P-12 Shuttle configuration can accommodate 30 passengers, plus bicycles, strollers and wheelchairs
Candela
A P-12 Business edition can host up to 20 passengers in its premium interior
Candela
The P-12 Voyager's interior can be configured for personal leisure use or commercial operations
Candela
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Swedish foiling e-boat maker Candela has announced the maiden flight of its P-12 passenger ferry, with its dual electric drives and tri-wing setup lifting the vessel above the water to reach a top speed of 30 knots. Series production has now begun, marking "the start of a new, sustainable era in water transport."

"Today, in many cities, roads are congested while the waterways – mankind’s oldest infrastructure – is unused for fast commuting," said company founder Gustav Hasselskog. "The P-12 offers a path to use these waterways as green highways, offering fast intra-city connections. The quickest way is often over water."

The electric hydrofoiling passenger ferry has been designed for single-person operation and is powered by two C-Pod electric drive units. The Zero model P-12 pre-production prototype managed to reach its maximum speed of 30 knots (34 mph) within 16 seconds after making its take-off speed of 16 knots.

The take-off speed of the P-12 Shuttle is 16 knots
Candela

The catamaran rises above the water on three carbon-fiber wings, with an electronic control system using sensor data to adjust foil angles to ensure a smooth ride. The spec sheet lists a 252-kWh battery bank – though there's no mention of the P-12 benefiting from the company's partnership with Polestar – for a per-charge range of 40 nautical miles at a 25-knot service speed.

The P-12 measures 11.99 m (39.3 ft) in length – hence its name – and has a 4.5-m (14.7-ft) beam. The Shuttle offers capacity for 30 seated passengers, who board the vessel via an extendable, automatic bow ramp that can be adjusted to different quay heights. There's room for bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs and more on board too.

P-12 Shuttle Zero features an automatic bow ramp for passengers to embark and disembark
Candela

Candela reports that serial production is now underway, with the second vessel set to become part of Stockholm's public transport system from 2024, cutting commuting time from the city center to Ekerö island from 55 minutes to 25.

The P-12 is available in three platform configurations, with the Shuttle version priced at €1.7 million (converting to US$1.85 million), which is reported about the same as upfront costs of a similar-sized diesel ferry – though operational costs are expected to be much lower.

"With P-12, we don’t just offer a faster and more comfortable electric alternative to fossil fuel vessels," said Hasselskog. "We offer operators to switch to sustainable vessels, while increasing profits. That’s hugely important to drive the transition to fossil-fuel free oceans and lakes."

We've no cost estimate for the Business version, but this configuration is designed to transport between 12 and 20 passengers in a premium interior. The Voyager flavor can be adapted for private leisure use or commercial operations. The video below has more.

Source: Candela

View gallery - 8 images
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2 comments
rgooding
So.. this is all very well and good, all for saving fuel - but... how does this do in less than perfect weather? what about 3 foot waves with a cross wind? - how does that work? unless it's really short runs this becomes more critical and being able to PROVIDE service is quite a difference than actually doing it. (not saying hydrofoils are poor in poor weather but really want to know myself)
notarichman
i've often wondered if an inflating/deflating boat bottom could be installed with a stiff bottom layer that can be raised to deflate the bag or inflated
to raise the boat to hydrofoil stage until speed is up and then deflated. that might save all the energy required to lift the boat up.