The CES 2023 has seen remarkable entries of electric hydrofoil boats from different companies, as per Independent.
CES 2023
Swedish electric boat maker Candela debuted the production form of its C-8 watercraft at CES 2023. Californian firm Navier introduced a slightly longer electric hydrofoil to surpass its Scandinavian counterpart. Candela, though, has made more progress in bringing its products to clients.
Additionally, Brunswick Corporation showcased its most recent electric outboard motor to generate some buzz in Nevada.
These companies strive to pursue this technology as it avoids increasing fuel costs and allows a smoother ride.
“You can have a wine glass and it does not spill. And it’s quiet, extremely quiet. You can have a conversation, unlike on a gas boat.”
Navier CEO Sampriti Bhattacharyya
Candela C-8
The C-8 is a 28-foot (8.5-meter) electric hydrofoil speedboat. As per the report, this boat has a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots. Meanwhile, it can go at 20 knots (23 mph) for more than two hours.
Candela equipped the C-8 with its electric hydrofoil technology to execute this performance. The hydrofoils reduce water friction by 80%, allowing the craft to sail over the waves. The fins can also be folded for easier trailering or accessing shallow harbors.
As per Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog, 150 of its C-8 models have already been produced and sold so far.
In order to increase output, it has expanded its personnel from 60 employees in 2021 to around 400 by the end of 2022.
Teslas of the sea
These e-hydrofoil boats are dubbed “Teslas of the sea” because of their advanced vehicle technology. However, their pricing of almost $400,000 makes it impossible to be adopted for commercial use as of now.
Nonetheless, these luxury vehicles might soon change the marine sector with further research on ways to reduce prices.
Interestingly, Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog suggests that Candela’s first customers are optimistic about the future.
“They tend to be entrepreneurs. They tend to be tech enthusiasts, if you like, with an optimistic view about the future and the ability of technology to solve all kinds of societal challenges.”
Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog
Current concerns about the e-hydrofoil boats
Besides being expensive, these electric speedboats could cause range anxiety among boaters.
“How safe is it for me to go out in the middle of the week with no one around, miles from shore, in an electric outboard engine?”
Truist Securities analyst Michael Swartz
Swartz suggested that employing electric motors might be better for boaters to avoid unwanted situations while on an e-hydrofoil boat.
“You’re not anywhere near the type of electric boat where you can go 50 miles offshore and go fishing for a couple of hours and come back. There’s no technology that can enable you to replicate that experience outside of an internal combustion engine.”
Truist Securities analyst Michael Swartz
These e-hydrofoil boats would require more research and improvement, just like any other developing technologies. That said, they have a huge potential to gain wider recognition and commercial adoption.
