Electric Ferry Completes Record 160-Mile Coastal Voyage

An electric ferry just shattered expectations by gliding 160 nautical miles along the Scandinavian coastline, setting a new distance record for passenger ships running purely on batteries.

The Candela P-12 departed from Öckerö, Sweden and traveled through nine coastal towns before arriving in Oslo, Norway over three days. No electric passenger ferry has ever covered such distance under its own power.

What makes this vessel different is the technology underneath. Computer-controlled hydrofoils lift the hull completely out of the water at 16 knots, reducing drag by up to 80% compared to traditional ferries.

This design breakthrough means the P-12 glides at 25 knots while sipping energy instead of guzzling it. The ferry can travel up to 40 nautical miles on a single charge, achieving speeds conventional electric boats can only dream about without massive batteries.

During the journey, Candela used existing fast-charging networks from Aqua SunPower and the EU-funded Go: LEIF system for quick top-ups. In areas without charging infrastructure, the team brought a mobile 292-kilowatt-hour charger towed by an electric pickup truck.

This matters because it proves electric ferries don't need expensive, specialized infrastructure to operate. They can work with charging networks that already exist or simple mobile solutions.

The Ripple Effect

The P-12 is already changing commutes in Stockholm, Sweden, where it operates regular routes. Lake Tahoe recently deployed one too, cutting a two-hour journey down to just 30 minutes.

Other regions are taking notice. Saudi Arabia's Neom project ordered eight P-12s for sustainable water transport, though funding challenges may affect those plans.

Beyond breaking records, this voyage demonstrates that hydrofoiling technology is ready for everyday commercial use. Traditional electric ferries in Oslo require huge battery containers swapped after each 10-mile trip, making them expensive and logistically complex.

The P-12 travels four times farther per charge while moving faster and using less energy. Operating costs drop dramatically, and passengers enjoy a smoother, quieter ride with zero emissions.

Clean water transport is no longer a distant dream but a practical reality gliding across harbors today.