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This flying electric ferry can transform commuting in New England (and cure seasickness)

Candela P 12 - This Flying Electric Ferry Can Transform Commuting in New England (and Cure Seasickness)

Cutting both travel times and costs, a new type of flying electric ferry could make commuting along the coast greener, faster, and far more pleasant. For passengers, perhaps the greatest perk of Candela’s hydrofoiling vessel is this: you won’t get seasick on board. Press demos will be held in conjunction with Newport International Boat Show.

Press demos will be held in conjunction with Newport International Boat Show.

At the Newport International Boat Show, Candela Technology — the Swedish company behind the world’s first electric hydrofoiling boats — will showcase its Candela C-8 leisure vessel, which “flies” above the water on underwater wings called hydrofoils.

These wings reduce energy use by a staggering 80% compared to conventional boats, unlocking both long range and high speed in an electric vessel — a world first. But there’s more. Once the sleek craft has lifted off, it is stabilized by Candela’s Flight Controller, a computer that uses an array of sensors scanning the water surface to keep the ride perfectly level, even in choppy seas.

The result: a digital pill for seasickness.

Candela C 8 at the Newport Boat Show
The Candela C-8 will be showcased during Newport International Boat Show

“Once you get the system working in all sorts of waves, it’s like a magic carpet experience — no bumps, pitching, or bobbing around,” says Gustav Hasselskog, CEO of Candela, who founded the company ten years ago to accelerate the transition to fossil-fuel-free waterways by building better electric boats.

After delivering over 100 leisure vessels, Hasselskog is determined to make electric flying ferries mainstream. Having already sold the Candela P-12 commuter ferry to Lake Tahoe, Candela believes the New England coast will be the next step.

The P-12, already in operation in Sweden and with customers ranging from New Zealand to Germany, is transforming coastal commuting.

A 30-passenger ferry cruising at up to 30 knots, it can make the trip from Providence to Newport in less than an hour. That means not only shorter travel times, but also up to 80% lower operating costs compared to conventional vessels — finally creating a powerful incentive to switch to electric ferries.

“Because the P-12 is so efficient, everything from chargers to batteries becomes smaller and cheaper, creating a very positive cost spiral,” says Hasselskog.

Fast electric ferries have yet to break through in the U.S., mainly because of performance issues with traditional hulls — short range at high speed — and excessive infrastructure costs. Conventional electric ferries need massive batteries and megawatt chargers, driving up both vessel and dockside expenses.

The Candela P-12, in contrast, can fully charge its 300-kWh battery in under an hour using a standard, low-cost DC car charger.

Its compact size also opens the door for new transport models. Instead of relying on a single large vessel, many smaller P-12s can provide more frequent departures and more direct routes, improving service quality without raising per-passenger costs.

“Think of a Candela line like a bus line. Instead of giant ferries running infrequently, we envision smaller vessels departing often, with quick travel times and similar costs per passenger as a hybrid bus,” Hasselskog explains.

This concept has already been proven in Sweden’s Stockholm, where Candela P-12 operates between a suburb and the city center. By flying above the water without creating wake, it received a speed exemption and cut travel times from over an hour to about 30 minutes.

Candela will showcase its groundbreaking technology in the form of Candela C-8, the best-selling electric recreational craft, at the Newport International Boat Show, September 11–14, including press demonstrations in conjunction with the show. The C-8 shows the advantage of hydrofoil technology, as it has set several international record for electric endurance, even making the first international electric boat voyage from Europe to Africa, as well as travelling from Sweden to Finland – and back – in one day.

 

Press contact for sea trials:

Mikael Mahlberg, Head of Communications at Candela

mikael.mahlberg@candela.com

+46765376678