EV ferry on pole

EV ferry-maker Candela and Polestar are EV swimming buddies

The Swedish-made electric hydrofoil ferry going into service as Meridian staff transport on Lake Manapouri has a connection to one of the world's most innovative electric carmakers.

The 30-seat Candela P-12 will provide daily transport across the lake for Meridian. Candela says the P-12 has 80 per cent lower energy consumption than an equivalent diesel vessel and requires 90 per cent less maintenance cost. The 254kW battery feeds two Candela C-Pod electric motors and gives a range of 50 nautical miles at 25 knots. It is recharged using an electric car-style DC fast charger.

The Kiwi power company is the first customer outside Europe to order the P-12. Candela claims the P-12 is the fastest pure-electric ferry in the world, yet at 25 knots it leaves a wake less than 150mm, minimising disruption to the shoreline.

The P-12 has aircraft-like stabilising systems that are activated once the craft rises up on its hydrofoils. A "flight controller" uses sensors to measure wave height in front of the vehicle and can adjust the angle-of-attack for the foils up to 100 times per second.

And the car connection? In August 2022, Candela signed an agreement with Polestar to use the EV maker's battery and charging systems.

“Polestar is a dream partner for us," said Gustav Hasselskog, chief executive of Candela. "While electrification of cars has come a long way in the last few years, the marine sector has fallen behind. Marrying our efficient hydrofoil technology to high-capacity batteries from Polestar means we can speed up the mass market adoption of electric boats together.”