‘Game changing’ boats arrive

Auckland is set to host the Kiwi debut of the Candela C-8, the world’s best-selling electric hydrofoil boat.

The C-8 will also showcase the cutting-edge technology behind New Zealand’s first electric foiling ferry.

Ferries contribute significantly to Auckland’s transport emissions – something Candela says its technology can help mitigate.

The C-8, pictured above, lays claim to being the fastest, longest range, most silent and most efficient electric foiling boat on the market, and it will make its debut at the Auckland Boat Show, which runs from March 6-9.

Since 2016, the Stockholm-based company has delivered more than 100 vessels. The C-8 has been hailed as a “game changer” thanks to its innovative hydrofoil system, which lifts the hull above water. This reduces energy consumption by 80 per cent while enabling long range and high speeds.

The C-8 has set multiple world records, including the fastest international crossing in an electric boat and the longest distance covered by an electric vessel in a single day – 423 nautical miles.

Candela will also deliver New Zealand's first electric hydrofoil ferry, the P-12, which is already in operation in Stockholm.

Flying above the waves, it offers a silent ride thanks to its direct-drive, fully submerged C-POD motor. It operates without a mechanical transmission, making it maintenance-free while eliminating the need for oil or cooling fluid.

At the heart of the P-12, pictured below, is the flight controller. This digital system uses a variety of sensors to maintain height, pitch and roll to ensure a stable ride even in waves and wind.

Gustav Hasselskog, the chief executive officer and founder of Candela, is in Auckland for the launch.

“It’s an experience like no other,” he says. “It’s akin to a magic carpet ride – silent, smooth and stable. You can have a normal conversation with passengers and, since the boat doesn’t roll or pitch, you won’t get seasick.”

As announced in 2024, New Zealand power company Meridian will take delivery of a P-12. This 30-passenger vessel is already in service in Stockholm’s public-transport system where it has commute times in half with its 25-knot cruising speed. 

It has received an exemption from speed limits in the centre of the Swedish city because its hydrofoils eliminate wave damage. 

With every departure being fully booked, the P-12 has demonstrated a 95 per cent reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions per passenger kilometre compared to conventional ferries.

Designed for efficient mass transport, it offers easy boarding through a wide bow ramp, accommodating passengers with strollers, bikes and wheelchairs. 

As congestion on Auckland’s roads worsens, the need for fast, efficient and sustainable transport alternatives has never been greater. 

But despite carrying only six per cent of passengers, ferries account for around 20 per cent of public-transport emissions, consuming up to 13 million litres of diesel per year.

Traditional ferries are not only carbon-intensive but also costly to operate and maintain, limiting the feasibility of expanding waterborne transport.

Additionally, speed restrictions due to wake generation slow down ferry routes, making them less competitive with road-based commuting.

Hasselskog says: “New Zealand is a trailblazer in foiling, especially with the America’s Cup, so we are thrilled to deliver the country’s first foiling electric ferry. 

“We believe the P-12 has great potential for transport in Auckland, which is why we’re excited to showcase our technology here.”