Rising above the water: Sweden tested an electric ferry on hydrofoils (video)
The Swedish company Candela has announced the successful testing of a pre-production model of the P-12 hydrofoil passenger electric ferry.
This was reported by New Atlas.
The P-12 ferry has a catamaran-type hull, 11.99 m long and 4.5 m wide. It is driven by two electric motors powered by an onboard battery.
Thanks to this, the vessel has a range of 74 km at an operating speed of 46 km/h. The maximum speed of the ferry is 54 km/h.
The ferry’s special feature is its hydrofoils, which allow it to rise above the water and reduce drag. The wings have automatic angle adjustment. The wings also reduce the ship’s oscillations on the waves and improve passenger comfort.
Candela plans to produce P-12 ferries in various configurations. The Shuttle version has 30 seats, including space for bicycles and wheelchairs. The Business version has fewer seats: from 12 to 20 in the premium cabin.
The cost of the Shuttle version will be $1.85 million.
A diesel ferry of this class will cost about the same amount, but its operation will be more expensive, not to mention the environmental pollution caused by exhaust.
