Lake Tahoe, the largest Alpine lake in North America, became a transportation hub after the 1848 California Gold Rush. Mail delivery then took place via a sailboat that visited each community, and steamboats began plying the river in 1863. The advent of automobiles in the 20th century diminished the steamers’ popularity, but the pendulum might swing back to greenwater transit after FlyTahoe launches its first Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil boat.

FlyTahoe plans to link the 14 ski resorts that encircle the lake by electric ferry. At 30 minutes, the travel time from the northern to the southern part of the lake via the FlyTahoe ferry service will compare favorably with driving around the lake, which can take up to two hours in the winter.

Because Lake Tahoe does not freeze, the delays and disruptions caused by road closures due to heavy snow will be greatly reduced.

The P-12, thanks to its hydrofoil design, offers passengers a much smoother ride than traditional ferries and offers operators improved efficiency.

The P-12 seats up to 30 passengers, with plenty of room to stow skis and bikes. It is 39 feet in length, has a 14-foot beam, and displaces 11.02 tons. The first P-12 ferry went into service in Sweden at the start of November and offers green travel among Stockholm’s 14 islands.

The ferry’s manufacturer, Candela recently raised an additional $14 million in its Series C round, putting the company’s total secured funding in 2024 at over $40 million. The investment will help Candela meet the increased demand for its vessels and allow it to ramp up production.

“This is the dawn of a zero-emission revival in waterborne transportation,” said Gustav Hasselskog, Candela’s founder and CEO.

Source: Candela