Flying Electric Boats: A New Way to Travel Norway's Fjords
Norway's fjords provide a stunning backdrop for coastal commuters who will soon experience what feels like floating on air.
Boreal has ordered a fleet of 20 Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil vessels, which Candela describes as a "magic carpet" for passengers.
Norway has the highest proportion of electric cars per person, and these new additions will be the world's largest electric hydrofoil fleet to date.
Flexible charging
The fleet of 20 vessels is planned for yearly batches between 2028 and 2030, with the first two arriving in 2027.
The P-12 can fully recharge in an hour using standard DC car fast chargers, avoiding the expensive megawatt-scale charging systems required by conventional electric ferries.
This capability was demonstrated during a voyage between Sweden and Norway, when the P-12 completed the longest electric sea journey to date, recharging along the route using a mobile battery system transported by a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup.
By choosing a vessel that can charge with standard DC car chargers, Boreal avoids the environmental and financial cost of building megawatt-scale infrastructure.
"Candela P-12 is the only electric passenger vessel that combines longer range with high speed without requiring extensive charging infrastructure. Our investment will enable new high-speed routes both in cities and in rural areas," says Nikolai Knudsmoen Utheim, CEO at Boreal.
"Charging infrastructure is the hidden cost of electrifying conventional vessels," says Gabriele De Mattia, project engineer at Candela and lead engineer for the record-setting voyage.
"In many cases, building megawatt-scale chargers – especially where the grid is weak or undeveloped – can cost as much as the vessels themselves. The breakthrough with P-12 is that it is fast to charge and extremely flexible in where it can operate."
Hydrofoil technology
The challenge of decarbonising maritime transport has often stumbled when confronted by the need to match the range and energy intensity of high-speed vessels.
While Norway leads the world in electric car sales, with 99% of new car sales being EVs, the hurtigbåtar fast ferries that connect its 100,000 miles of fjord-lined coast have traditionally relied on diesel.
Boreal's Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil vessels lift the hull above the water, reducing drag so significantly that energy consumption drops by 80%, according to Candela.
This could make zero-emission travel possible on routes that previously required fossil fuels.
Nikolai says: "Norway has already led the electrification of maritime transport.
"With this fleet, Boreal wants to take the next step, accelerating zero-emission high-speed travel along the Norwegian coast."
Nikolai believes this investment could help bring electric vessels to new markets beyond Norway.
Environmental impact
The P-12's environmental credentials extend beyond its lack of tailpipe emissions. Because it hydrofoils, it creates virtually no wake, according to the manufacturer.
In the unique and sensitive Norwegian fjords, traditional high-speed craft can cause erosion and disturb marine ecosystems.
At speeds above 18 knots, computer-controlled wings lift the P-12's hull, allowing the boat to glide silently and smoothly. This reduced energy demand allows the vessel to operate with a range of 40 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 25 knots, Candela says.
Alexander Sifvert, Candela's European Director, says that tourists and commuters will enjoy service "without the negative impacts of wake and emissions in the unique Norwegian fjords".
The 80% reduction in energy consumption could prove significant for environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets and operational budgets.
The vessel is also engineered for what could be termed "social" sustainability – the comfort of passengers and the peace of coastal communities.
Recent tests in Stockholm confirmed cabin noise levels of 64 dB, lower than modern trains or aircraft.
"Tourists and commuters in Norway will enjoy better service and more frequent departures – free from seasickness, silent," adds Alexander. The result could be a premium travel experience that respects the silence of the natural environment.
Gustav Hasselskog, Candela's CEO and Founder, describes the experience as surreal.
"If there ever was a 'magic carpet', we've made it," says Gustav.