The Mediterranean Sea just got a glimpse of the future. A Swedish team sailed an electric “flying” boat across the Gibraltar Strait, proving that clean maritime transport is ready for prime time.
This feat is a big deal. The Strait is known for strong currents and rough seas, but the Candela C-8 Polestar Edition boat handled it with ease. It was piloted by Candela’s CEO, Gustav Hasselskog, who took the boat from Sotogrande in Spain to Ceuta in North Africa – a 24 nautical mile journey.
The trip took just over an hour, matching the speed of traditional fast boats. But here’s the kicker: it used a fraction of the energy and produced zero emissions. After a quick recharge, the boat made the return trip the same day.
So, how much energy are we talking? The entire trip used just 40 kWh of energy, costing around 8 euros in electricity. A similar gas-guzzling boat used 50 liters of fuel, setting its owner back around 90 euros.
The Candela C-8 is special – it’s not just electric, but also “flies” using computer-controlled hydrofoils. These foils reduce energy consumption by around 80% compared to traditional boats and make the ride super smooth.
Hasselskog said, “There’s a clear need for fast, clean, and efficient travel in the Mediterranean. We can help meet that demand by working with existing operators to increase connectivity and reduce emissions.”
This demo was a test run for Candela’s upcoming P-12 electric ferry, which can carry 30 passengers and is already in service in Stockholm. The company wants to replace polluting diesel ferries with its electric boats, which could make a big impact – over 3.5 million crossings are made in the Gibraltar Strait every year.
The Candela C-8 Polestar Edition is a premium version of the C-8, developed in partnership with electric vehicle maker Polestar. It boasts a 69 kWh battery, fast charging, and a range of 57 nautical miles – making it the longest-range and fastest-charging electric boat in the world.
With this technology, the future of maritime transport is looking bright – faster, cheaper, and cleaner travel is on the horizon.