By
Laura Hyde |
The first flying electric ferry in the USA will make its debut on Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border after Swedish technology company Candela partnered with Tahoe-based FlyTahoe.
The hydrofoil ferry will carry passengers, bikes and ski equipment on a 30-minute north-south connection route across the freshwater lake. The ferry will cut travel times in half compared to the daily 20,000 car trips along the same route, as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the area.
The Lake Tahoe ferry will be a Candela P-12, following the launch of the first vessel of this type in Stockholm, Sweden, in October 2024. The vessel’s computer-controlled hydrofoil wings lift its hull above water – giving the impression of flight. This design reduces energy consumption by 80 per cent compared to conventional vessels due to the reduction in water friction.
“It basically works like a jet fighter, which is constantly balanced using ailerons; the principle of the P-12 is the same, except our wings fly in water instead of air,” said Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela. “We’re proud to partner with FlyTahoe to bring this revolutionary technology to the US for the very first time. This will not only ensure more efficient commuting around Lake Tahoe and unlock business possibilities for waterfront communities, but it’s also a big step toward unlocking the potential of US waterways for zero-emission transport.”
The Candela P-12 electric ferry launched on waterways in Stockholm, Sweden, in October 2024
The 30-passenger ferry has been designed to accommodate both bikes for the summer months and ski equipment for the winter months. As the second deepest lake in the US, Lake Tahoe has never frozen over, which means the ferry will be able to operate year-round.
“It's ironic that while millions, myself included, drive around Lake Tahoe to admire its beauty, the road sediment we generate contributes to the largest threat to the lake's famous cobalt blue clarity,” said Ryan Meinzer, founder and CEO of FlyTahoe. “Our service will provide a faster transport than cars or buses, while keeping Tahoe blue.”
The electric hydrofoil ferry will accommodate passengers and their bikes or ski equipment