Candela Reveals World’s First Long-Range Electric Hydrofoil Taxi Boat: All You Need To Know

Boats and ships have always been the norm for long-distance exploration. Since time immemorial, explorers have made use of ships to get to different parts of the world and to explore any place that took their fancy. The ships and boats changed, the masts gave way to chimneys and the sails were replaced by engines putting out lakhs of horsepower, but the thirst for exploration still remained the same.

Now, we are at a point where shipping and boating as we know it, is undergoing a sea change. Large, noisy, and not-so-green engines are giving way to smaller and yet very powerful electric motors that do not emit any air or noise pollution. This new boat from Candela is a perfect example of this sea change.

Candela is an electric boat manufacturing brand with a vision to speed up the transition to fossil-fuel-free lakes and oceans. To do so, the brand has so far launched multiple electric boats and all of them too ride on hydrofoils. However, their latest boat is their greatest achievement yet.

The Candela P-8 Voyager is designed to be a long-range water taxi to be used for tourism. Its highlight is the availability of 40 nautical miles of range at high speed. At a speed of 22 knots (40.7km/h), the Candela P-8 Voyager can cover a distance of 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres).

With a slightly reduced speed though, the range increases considerably. At a speed of 20 knots (37km/h), it can cover a distance of around 50 nautical miles (92 kilometres). When compared to what electric cars are achieving, this figure seems too meagre. However, the world of boats is completely different. Ships and boats need a lot of power to overcome the friction and resistance created by water.

The hydrofoils employed by the Candela P-8 Voyager help to an extent. It is powered by the Candela C-POD motor that the brand claims can last a human lifetime without maintenance. The boat also features a range of electronic aids and assistance that enable it to have a great ride quality while also increasing efficiency.

The onboard flight controller automatically changes the hydrofoil's angle when the boat reaches a speed of 16 knots. It is also capable of handling 4-5 foot boat wakes and chop thanks to its height adjusting capabilities.

The Candela P-8 Voyager can seat six passengers in comfort and it also features air conditioning for the passengers inside the cabin. Pre-orders for the P-8 are currently open for a payment of 2,000 Euros (Rs 1.66 lakh).

Thoughts On Candela P-8 Voyager Electric Long-Range Hydrofoil Boat

Electric mobility is taking over the world and marine vessel manufacturers are also heading taking the EV route. There are a few ships that use electric propulsion in certain ports while efforts are on to develop fully electric vessels. The Candela P-8 Voyager is a perfect example of how a boat can go longer distances on electricity alone. The distance will certainly increase as battery energy density figures increase.