Sustainable maritime transportation start-up REGENT has unveiled its full-scale prototype for a zero-emission 100% electric seaglider, which is set to take flight in 2024. The company’s mission is to revolutionize regional transportation by designing and building all-electric seagliders that offer a quick, low-cost, and sustainable coastal travel solution.
With 40% of the world’s population residing in coastal communities, REGENT’s electric seagliders can provide an alternative zero-emission travel method to reduce congestion. The vehicle operates a few meters off the water’s surface, combining the high speeds of an aircraft with the low operating costs of a boat.
By operating at an “ultra-low altitude,” REGENT’s electric seaglider is designed to be regulated and certified by maritime authorities, meaning you won’t need a flight plan or pilot’s log. Last September, REGENT achieved a significant milestone by completing the world’s first all-electric seaglider flight with three modes of maritime operation, including floating, foiling, and flying.
REGENT’s new full-scale electric seaglider mock-up, designed to carry passengers, is expected to begin flight testing in 2024. The start-up has also revealed plans to expand its manufacturing footprint at its Rhode Island headquarters by up to 600,000 square feet for building and testing its seagliders.
REGENT says it has over $8 billion in commercial orders that it will begin working through by mid-decade. The company’s CEO and founder, Billy Thalheimer, believes in the potential of their product, stating that “Our studies, based on publicly validated data, show that our seagliders serve an $11 billion market that we project to swell to as much as $25 billion as battery technology advances. The $8 billion in orders our company has already received from a variety of companies around the world reflect the need for fast, reliable, and sustainable maritime transportation.”
REGENT’s hypergrowth phase includes over $50 million in funding since its launch, with aerospace pioneers such as David Neeleman, co-founder of JetBlue, and Dennis Muilenburg, former CEO of The Boeing Company, joining its board of advisers. The start-up has also received strategic investments from top-tier companies, including defense leader Lockheed Martin and Japan’s largest air carrier, Japan Airlines.
According to REGENT, Southern Airways will be the first to receive a commercial electric seaglider when it enters service around 2025. REGENT’s innovative solution for sustainable coastal transportation is set to transform the way we travel in coastal communities and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
