Commuters travelling between Öckerö and central Gothenburg will soon be offered the chance to test a new electric hydrofoil ferry as part of a pilot project offered by Västtrafik with Candela, Styrsöbolaget and Öckerö Municipality.
The ferry, the Candela P-12, is set to undergo testing between 8 and 19 September, with the project aiming to evaluate the difference hydro-foiling can make to both timing and energy efficiency.
The pilot programme will see the 24-capacity ferry offer 6 trips per day, with a short charging stop after each trip.
Bijan Zainali (S), Chairman of the Board of Västtrafik, said:With this initiative, we want to explore whether hydrofoil technology can make our boat traffic even faster and more energy-efficient.
We have been commissioned by the regional council to work on the future of sustainable travel at sea. This test will be the starting point for the work.
The ferry, which is powered entirely by hydrofoil technology, rises on wings underneath the hull, travelling approximately 1.5 metres above the water surface, with a journey time of roughly half an hour.
Tord Ringenhall, Project Manager at Candela, said:For us as ship manufacturers, this provides valuable insights while we hope to offer commuters a unique experience and a taste of what hydrofoil technology can mean – faster and more comfortable electric travel at sea.
The Candela P-12 is fully electric and capable of travelling at a cruising speed of 25 knots. It is also set to be displayed in Frihamnen in Gothenburg, during Frihamnsdagarna between 28–29 August.
