Electric hydrofoil ferry maker Vessev aims to redefine urban boat travel

A startup called Vessev has built an electric hydrofoil ferry that it says could change how cities and commuters think about travel on water, according to TechCrunch.

The vessel is designed as a hydrofoil, meaning that as it gathers speed its hull rises above the surface of the water, supported by submerged wing-like foils. Vessev says this design reduces drag compared with a conventional hull that stays in contact with the water, allowing the ferry to travel faster while using less energy. Because the boat runs on batteries rather than a combustion engine, the company is positioning it as a zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered ferries that currently serve many coastal and river routes.

Hydrofoil designs are not new to maritime transport, but pairing the technology with an electric powertrain has proven difficult, given the weight of batteries and the power needed to lift a loaded vessel out of the water. Vessev's pitch is that its engineering approach overcomes that challenge well enough to make electric hydrofoil ferries commercially viable for passenger service.

The company frames the vessel as part of a broader push to electrify short-haul water transport, an area that has drawn less attention than electric cars but faces similar pressure to cut emissions. Ferries are a significant source of transport emissions in many coastal cities, and operators have been exploring battery power, hydrogen and hybrid systems as alternatives to diesel.

TechCrunch's report did not detail specific routes, operators or timelines for deployment. Further information about commercial launches, certification and pricing was not available at the time of reporting.