A new wave of electric hydrofoil ferries is poised to change the landscape of waterborne public transportation in the United States. Vessev, a company specializing in fully electric hydrofoil boats, is preparing to launch its first US service on Lake Tahoe, marking a potential turning point for energy-efficient maritime travel.
Hydrofoil vessels operate using underwater wings that lift the hull above the water at speed, significantly reducing drag and enabling smoother, more efficient travel. According to Eric Laakmann, Vessev’s CEO and co-founder, the hydrofoil design cuts drag by approximately two-thirds, allowing the vessels to operate with smaller, lighter battery packs. This reduction in weight and energy demand addresses one of the major challenges in electrifying boats, as batteries add considerable mass that typically increases power requirements.
Electric propulsion in boats presents a complex challenge beyond simply replacing diesel engines with electric motors and batteries. Factors such as vessel range, passenger capacity, recharging speed, and onboard weight capacity must all be balanced for practical operation. Vessev currently runs passenger services in New Zealand and is expanding into Australia, with its Lake Tahoe project marking its first US footprint.
Transport is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and while road vehicles contribute the bulk of these emissions, waterborne vessels also rely heavily on fossil fuels. Electric ferries could play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in coastal urban centers.
Other companies are similarly investing in electric hydrofoil technology. Swedish firm Candela, for example, operates electric hydrofoil ferries in Stockholm and reports up to 80% energy savings compared to conventional boats. Norway has also placed orders for 20 electric hydrofoil vessels to serve coastal routes.
In the United States, the transition to electric ferries is underway but faces logistical hurdles. San Francisco’s ferry system, which transports approximately 3.5 million passengers annually, currently operates a fleet of 18 diesel-powered vessels. However, the city plans to introduce four battery-electric ferries over the next two years as part of a $500 million upgrade project. These new ferries will be the nation’s first high-speed, all-electric vessels, although they will not adopt hydrofoil technology.
Seamus Murphy, head of San Francisco’s water transport agency, emphasized that electric ferries require a carefully coordinated approach involving vessel range capabilities, charging infrastructure, and service schedules to maintain reliable operations. Battery weight, upfront costs for vessels and charging stations, and route characteristics all impact the feasibility of electrification. Despite challenges, rising diesel prices and improvements in battery technology strengthen the economic rationale for the transition, offering potential long-term savings in fuel and maintenance.
Beyond environmental benefits, the shift to electric ferries presents opportunities for domestic manufacturing growth. San Francisco’s new ships and batteries are being built in the United States, potentially supporting local job creation in shipbuilding and battery production.
As electric hydrofoil and battery-powered ferries become more common, industry experts predict these vessels will evolve from niche transport options to mainstream components of urban mobility, operating more like subways or buses on water. The upcoming launch of Vessev’s Lake Tahoe service is a key early step in that direction.