We all know about electric bikes, cars and trucks but now the electric boat presented by the Vessev is ready to catch the eyes. Formerly known as Seachane this young eco friendly boat making brand is committed to making your boating experience unprecedented. The electric hydrofoil boat, VS-9 is a state-of-art design boat that delivers incredible efficiency and provides future tourists an electrified ride.
Currently developed as a concept boat, the brand is looking to commercialize it into larger vessels that can transport 100 passengers at a time. It is mainly developed for commercial operations and tourists. It flies above the water, offering a new futuristic option in sea travel. Company also said you will enjoy the passenger ferry ride soon thanks to NetZero Maritime ( New Zealand’s largest ferry operator) who has already signed to help hydrofoil technology commercialize.
The aim of the Vessel is to make the maritime transport clean and green, On this note Co-fonder and CEO of Vessev Eric Lakkmann said, We are in the earliest stage of a global transition to sustainable energy use. Our partnership with NetZero Maritime is one of the most powerful in the world in accelerating the adoption of new technologies. There are 33 million vessels in the world today with sustainable vessels representing the smallest fraction. Through significant enhancements in efficiency, hydro foiling will play a key role in this once-in-a-generation shift.”
The recent details of the flagship electric hydrofoil boat reveals that it is packed with some impressive in-house technology and high performance specs. Additionally, the company has outlined a detailed plan for it’s expansion into commercial maritime transport.
Built with the same state-of-the-art foiling technology used in the America’s Cup it boasts with maximize efficiency and range by foiling above the water. Save up to 95% energy the new electric hydrofoil boat offers room for ten passengers and can travel at a service speed of 25 knots (~29 mph) Also the VS-9 has a range of 50 nautical miles (57 miles/92.6km) and can recharge its batteries at any marina plug. Vessel also says that the VS-9 can recoup 0.8 nautical miles of range per minute, if that area happens to have a DC fast charger.
Currently the VS-9 is undergoing sea trials at Auckland with encouraging results in initial tests, Laakman explained:
We use techniques similar to America’s Cup vessels which provide very high control authority when compared to other systems. That means we can handle more wind and bigger seas. The system is more difficult to engineer up-front, but results in a very performant vessel that is both more capable and more efficient.
The VS—9 is so efficient that we are able to use very safe and longer-lasting battery technologies when compared to other vessels of this type.
To put it into perspective, the VS—9 is undergoing on-water testing with a petrol-powered chase boat following, doing the same motions and distance. At the end of each day, the cost of the petrol fueling the chase boat is 25 times the cost of the electricity used to charge the VS—9.