September 24, 2024
Coming this fall, residents in Stockholm won’t have to endure the hour-long commute by car or train between Ekerö, a popular suburb, and central Stockholm, home to the historic City Hall. Instead, they’ll be able to hop aboard a 30-passenger ferry and make the journey in half the time, all while helping to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions. That’s because the ferry runs on electric power.
The ferry, created by Candela, a Swedish company that’s been finetuning the technology since 2016, uses a hydrofoil to lift the boat above the water’s surface, reducing drag and the amount of energy needed to operate it. “The hydrofoil system cuts energy consumption by 80% compared to fossil fuel-powered vessels,” says Gustav Hemming, vice president of the Regional Executive Board in Stockholm that is responsible for sea-bound public transport.
And not only do passengers get to avoid the diesel smell from the typical ferry, the ride is not just faster, it’s considerably smoother.
Electric ferries aren’t new; Finland’s ferry fleet went entirely electric in 2017, and all-electric fleets popping up in countries like Spain, India, Portugal, Denmark, Thailand and New Zealand. Niagara Falls unveiled its first electric tourist ferries in 2020.
And there’s money to be made in the electric ship market: According to Fortune Business Insights, the market is currently worth $4.3 billion; it is projected to grow to nearly $17 billion by 2032.