What’s being called the world’s fastest and longest-range electric vessel will soon go into ferry service on the deep-blue, mountain-ringed waters of Lake Tahoe.
The P-12 from Swedish-based company Candela is an almost 40-foot, 30-passenger ferry capable of reaching 25 knots with a range of 40 nautical miles. The vessel will provide north-south service across Lake Tahoe’s 21.75-mile length. Ferry operator FlyTahoe said in a press release that its proposed Tahoe route “marks the introduction of electric hydrofoiling passenger ships in the U.S., a crucial step toward decarbonizing maritime transport on American waterways.”
The Candela P-12 Nova went into service in Stockholm, Sweden, in late October 2024. In addition to the Tahoe ferry, Candela said it has received orders from Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Berlin, with more clients to be announced.
Using foiling technology with computer-guided underwater wings, the P-12 is able to “fly” about three feet above the water’s surface, dramatically reducing hull-surface drag and “cutting energy consumption by a staggering 80 percent compared to conventional vessels,” FlyTahoe said, noting that electric propulsion was more feasible given the reduced energy needs. FlyTahoe said that it will connect the north and south shores of Lake Tahoe in under 30 minutes – it’s a drive that can take as long as two hours during peak seasons in both summer and winter.
Because Lake Tahoe doesn’t freeze, and because a foiling vessel is less affected by chop than conventional craft, FlyTahoe plans to run ferry service year-round and “create a vital link to the 14 world-class ski resorts encircling the lake, making it an ideal option for tourists and locals alike.” The vessel is designed to accommodate both skis and bikes. Ryan Meinzer, founder and CEO of FlyTahoe, said, “we’ll not just be moving people faster, we’ll be boosting socioeconomic mobility by connecting the north and south of the lake.”
FlyTahoe said that a detailed analysis by the Tahoe Transportation District recognized ferries as the best solution to reduce Lake Tahoe’s traffic congestion, citing lower costs per user and faster travel times than cars and buses. But that report was made before the availability of the Candela P-12, “a factor that Meinzer says significantly bolsters the unit economics and overall business case.”