This article was first published on Bil24.no.
Candela has put what is the world’s first “flying ferry” into production. See photos and not least video!
The Swedish manufacturer Candela has set itself the goal of revolutionizing the electric boat market, and they will do so by making hydrofoil boats.
These are electric boats with wings on the underside, and although this also has positive consequences for boats with diesel engines, the rise is even greater for the electric ones. As electric cars, it is necessary to reduce consumption so that the range is as long as possible, and hydrofoils are superior in this regard on the water.
These wings lift the hull above the surface of the water and thus eliminate water resistance, and as an additional reward the sound of the waves and the waves that boats normally leave behind also disappear – because you simply fly over the water.
This summer we tested this ourselves with the newest boat called C-8, and it was a very special feeling to just march off at around 20 knots while the boat was completely level and the only thing we heard was the wind.
Now Candela is taking the technology on to even larger boats, namely ferries. Already last summer, they were able to show off the P-12 concept. Like the C-8, the ferry lifts itself above the water when it reaches 18 knots, and then it also uses 80 percent less energy than traditional fast-moving vessels, according to Candela. The ferry has also reached 30 knots, which according to the Swedes is a record for such passenger vessels.
The P-12 has a range of 50 nautical miles, so it can handle most of the coastal trips such ferries normally undertake.
Furthermore, Candela says that the variant that can take 30 passengers costs 1.7 million euros, which is apparently quite reasonable, and that because the hydrofoil solution makes the electric ferry so efficient that it “only” needs a battery of 252 kWh.
‒ With the P-12, we not only offer a faster and more comfortable electric alternative to fossil fuel-powered vessels, says Erik Eklund, Candela’s director of commercial vessels.
‒ We make it possible for operators to switch to sustainable vessels that are cost-effective and profitable, a decisive step towards clean seas and lakes.
There are also a couple of other economic benefits of this electric ferry. According to Candela, it reduces “fuel” costs by up to 90 percent compared to diesel vessels, while the special C-Pod engines that are underwater should require minimal servicing. On top of that, the vessel is designed for a single crew, so here it is also possible to cut labor costs.
Candela says they expect the P-12 to cut costs per passenger kilometer in half, and achieve similar operating economics per passenger as a hybrid electric bus.
For customers and commuters, all this should also mean cheaper tickets, so we can only cheer for such ferries. The Swedes highlight several advantages. The ferry will be able to turn in two minutes due to the special engines, and the digital “flight control” system inspired by the fighter planes adjusts the hydrofoils 100 times a second so that you avoid hitting waves and have a particularly comfortable ride.
Want to see how it works in practice? Of course you have.
Finally, Candela can state that they have three versions in progress, the P-12 Shuttle, P-12 Business and P-12 Voyager. The former takes 30 passengers, Business can be equipped with between 12 and 20 passenger seats and has room for lots of luggage, and finally Voyager is a slightly more luxurious version.
‒ P-12 is a platform that will cater to a wide range of customers. Whether it’s public fleets, VIP services or private customers, it will revolutionize how we travel on water, believes Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog.
The Candela P-12 Shuttle will be put into service around Stockholm by next year, and will reduce the commuting time from those in Ekerö from the normal 55 minutes to 25 minutes, and the flying ferry has thus taken off and entered production now.
2023-12-23 22:58:45
#flying #ferry #takes
