(Stockholm) An electric boat flying one meter above the water and producing almost no turbulence: a Swedish company is testing an electric ferry which is due to carry its first passengers from October in Stockholm.
Equipped with three carbon fiber wings placed under its hull – the “foils” – and powered by a lithium battery, this hydrofoil “is capable of flying above the water” after gaining enough speed, explains Andrea Meschini, who leads the research and development tests of the Candela P-12, from the eponymous Swedish company.
The boat maintains its stability automatically thanks to sensors that constantly adjust the foils.
By levitating above the water, the shuttle “consumes up to 80% less energy than a conventional boat,” its driver assured during the demonstration of the prototype, launching off the coast of the Stockholm archipelago.
Since it eliminates the friction and wave drag of the hull, the boat is allowed to go much faster than usual models: up to 55 km/h.
In Stockholm, the P-12 will serve a busy route between the city centre and an island in the western part of the archipelago. The crossing is expected to take 35 minutes, half the time required by land.
The contract with SL – the Swedish capital’s public transport authority – provides for the commissioning of a single model, which will be able to carry up to 30 passengers from October.
Decarbonized public transport
“It’s incredible, we’re in the future,” marvels Mr. Meschini, maneuvering the boat with a simple joystick, which he compares to a “flying carpet.”
Despite the waves and turbulence produced by the other boats sailing nearby, you feel almost nothing on board the shuttle.
The boat is “small, fast, does not pollute and makes almost no noise,” boasts the captain.
“Our core mission has always been to make maritime transport efficient, sustainable and fossil-free,” says Meschini.
The environmental impact of the construction of the shuttle is not zero, however: the extraction of lithium, which powers the boat’s battery, is very water-intensive.
Although the technology had been ready for several years – Candela produces flying boats for pleasure – it was necessary for this larger shuttle to “meet a number of standards to be in a state of navigation and safe for passengers”, Karin Hallén, program manager at Candela, told AFP.
By developing this type of model, Candela wants to conquer decarbonized maritime public transport internationally.
According to Mr. Meschini, this sector has “a lot of potential because most of the big cities in the world are built around water.”
“However, it is not used and developed in terms of public transport. We want to fill this gap.”
Shipping is responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In March, Candela closed a fundraising round of nearly €25 million (C$37 million). French group Beneteau, one of Europe’s largest boat builders, is among the new investors.