Sweden's first electric hydrofoil boat enters production

Electric propulsion boats are not a new concept. In the past, an electric passenger submarine powered by solar energy was developed. Some enthusiasts even experiment with such innovations by installing solar panels on boats.

Sweden's Candela Technology AB has now developed the world's first fully electric hydrofoil boat. The model has already completed its test voyage and has transitioned to mass production.

The Candela P-12 is the pioneer passenger implementation of its kind. Standard version of the boat, referred to as the Shuttle, is just shy of 39 feet and accommodates up to 30 passengers, with space saved for bicycles and strollers. Additionally, the manufacturer offers a Business version, featuring a luxurious interior and designed to carry between 12 to 20 passengers along with their luggage.

The Candela P-12 shares similarities with a classic hydrofoil. With its unique two-wing design, the boat resistance on water is significantly reduced, allowing faster movement than traditional boats. Its maximum speed reaches a 30-knot benchmark, setting a record for passenger boats with electric propulsion.

Being able to "glide" also reduces electricity usage. The manufacturer claims that the Candela P-12 uses 80 percent less energy than standard ships and can travel up to 50 nautical miles (57 miles) in one charge.

Passenger comfort also gets significant attention. The boat is equipped with sensors and a computer system that measures wave height and wind speed to keep the vessel stable in rough weather conditions. The producer states that this solution reduces the sensation of sea sickness by up to 90 percent when compared to traditional passenger boats.

The Candela P-12 is now transitioning into mass production at a factory near Stockholm. The Shuttle variant of the hydrofoil is planned for test deployment within Stockholm's public transport network by 2024.