The Candela C-8 Polestar Edition 12-passenger ferry has made history, becoming the world’s first electric boat to cross the Mediterranean.
The vessel took just over an hour to make the 24 nautical mile intercontinental crossing.
The voyage was undertaken to demonstrate the potential of the hydrofoil ferry to deliver clean, cost-efficient transport across the Strait and along the Spanish coast.
The 12 passenger boat is in use in Sweden taking commuters from Stockholm’s Ekerö suburb to the city centre.
Candela points out that the corridor from Spain / Gibraltar to Africa has more than 3.5 million crossings every year and is dominated by large diesel car ferries that primarily serve major hubs.
There’s a clear need for additional fast, clean, and efficient travel options across the Mediterranean.
Gustav Hasselskog
The company hopes its P-12 can be a complement to those services, providing access for underserved coastal communities.
“There’s a clear need for additional fast, clean, and efficient travel options across the Mediterranean — and for direct lines that aren’t economically viable for larger, conventional vessels,” said Gustav Hasselskog, CEO of Candela and the pilot for the crossing.
“We can help meet this demand, working alongside existing operators and ferries to boost connectivity and cut emissions — not just across the Strait but also along the coast, for example connecting cities along the Costa del Sol.”
Electric hydrofoils
He added: “The experience was so smooth that we didn’t feel the swell while the support vessel was constantly rocking.”
And he pointed out that the entire trip cost €8 in electricity, compared to around €90 in fuel that a similar diesel-powered boat would have required.
The Candela P-12 is operated via a system of computer-controlled electric hydrofoils computer-controlled hydrofoils, capable of adjusting their position up to 100 times per second to minimise friction with the water.
The technology lifts the boat out of the water, reducing drag and energy consumption.
