Stockholm-based Candela is bringing its vision of waterborne urban commuting to the United States, staging a week-long demonstration of its electric flying boats on the Potomac River near the Swedish Embassy in Washington D.C.
The event, which begins on October 17, marks the U.S. debut of Candela’s hydrofoil technology. The company will offer media test rides using its C-8 vessel to showcase how its upcoming P-12 electric shuttle could transform city travel by allowing passengers to “fly” above the water’s surface.
See also: Candela Electric Hydrofoil Completes Intercontinental Crossing Without Emissions
The P-12, Candela’s flagship commercial ferry, uses computer-controlled hydrofoils to lift its hull out of the water, reducing drag by up to 80% and gliding smoothly without producing a wake. The system cuts noise and eliminates emissions, offering a quiet, vibration-free experience compared to conventional diesel ferries.
According to Candela, the technology can dramatically shorten travel times across congested metro regions. A trip from Georgetown to Reagan National Airport could take as little as six minutes aboard the P-12, compared with about 20 minutes by car. The company says its electric vessels can operate efficiently in no-wake zones, a key advantage in cities such as Washington D.C., where speed limits and shoreline erosion restrict traditional ferries.
See also: Candela P-12 Electric Hydrofoil Ferry to Resume Daily Service in Stockholm
“We’re not merely replacing diesel ferries — we’re enabling a new layer of transport by utilizing the underused waterways,” said Candela founder and CEO Gustav Hasselskog. “We’re already in discussions with several U.S. companies that see the potential of using flying electric vessels to bypass congestion.”
Candela’s ferry concept has already moved beyond the prototype stage. In Stockholm, the P-12 has been integrated into the city’s public transport system, where it has halved some route travel times while cutting operational costs by around 60% compared to diesel vessels. The company reports over 40 boats on order, with similar projects under development in Lake Tahoe, Mumbai, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.
See also: Candela Raises €24.5M in Funding to Advance Electric Boat Technology
The Washington D.C. showcase coincides with the Swedish Green Transition Summit, an event highlighting sustainable innovation. Running through October 23, the demonstration combines diplomacy, marketing, and real-world testing — a sign that waterborne electric transport could soon become part of daily commuting in major U.S. cities.
