CANDELA AND FLYTAHOE INTRODUCE ELECTRIC HYDROFOIL FERRIES TO LAKE TAHOE
Swedish tech company Candela and California-based FlyTahoe have partnered to bring the Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry to Lake Tahoe, marking the first deployment of a flying electric passenger vessel in the United States. The zero-emission P-12 uses advanced hydrofoiling technology to lift clear of the water surface, cutting energy consumption by 80% compared to conventional planing ferries, while completing the 35-kilometre north-south lake crossing in under 30 minutes: half the time of driving around the lake in summer, and far less than the two-plus hours typical in winter.
How the Candela P-12 Hydrofoil Ferry Works
The P-12 carries 30 passengers and operates entirely on renewable electricity. Its hydrofoil system uses a computer-controlled Flight Controller that reads sensor data from the hull 100 times per second, adjusting foil angle of attack to maintain a smooth, stable ride regardless of wave conditions. The result is a virtually seasickness-free experience even in open-water chop, with noise levels dramatically lower than a diesel ferry at equivalent speed. The foil design also eliminates the wake that planing hulls produce, which means no shoreline erosion and minimal disturbance to the lake's protected ecosystem.
With ample space for skis in winter and bicycles in summer, the P-12 is purpose-built for Tahoe's outdoor lifestyle. Each crossing links the northern and southern shores of the lake, connecting all 14 ski resorts that ring the basin and providing a practical, year-round transport alternative to gridlocked mountain roads.
Environmental Mission: Protecting Lake Tahoe's Waters
Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States and is celebrated for its extraordinary cobalt-blue clarity, a quality that years of road traffic, boat exhaust, and shoreline runoff have gradually degraded. The FlyTahoe service targets that problem directly. By replacing diesel-powered vessels with silent electric hydrofoils, it eliminates combustion emissions over the water entirely. The P-12's minimal wake also reduces road sediment runoff, a leading cause of clarity loss in the lake.
Ryan Meinzer, Founder and CEO of FlyTahoe, has stated that the service aims to improve the region's socio-economic mobility alongside its ecological health. Because Lake Tahoe never freezes, the P-12 can operate year-round, providing a genuine daily transport link rather than a seasonal tourist attraction.
A Blueprint for Zero-Emission Maritime Transport in the US
This collaboration is significant beyond Lake Tahoe. The US has thousands of miles of coastal and inland waterways served by diesel ferries that are overdue for electrification. Candela's P-12 represents the most advanced commercially available electric ferry platform: fastest range, lowest energy use, and highest passenger comfort in its class. If the FlyTahoe service proves the model, it provides a replicable blueprint for decarbonising water transport across American waterways from San Francisco Bay to Puget Sound.
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Photo: Candela / FlyTahoe
