Stockholm inaugurates its electric flying water shuttle (video)

The Swedish capital has launched, in partnership with electric boat manufacturer Candela, revolutionary flying shuttles.

There are two approaches to depolluting a city. The first, similar to Paris, is to make life difficult for residents, pushing them to abandon the most efficient means of transport available now (cars), or the second, as Stockholm does, to invent new solutions.

In the Swedish capital, a new route has just been inaugurated between downtown and the locality of Tappström, about twenty kilometers away. Normally, it takes 55 minutes by car to cover this distance, but now it takes only 25 minutes by boat.

On board the Candela P-12, 30 passengers can be accommodated. Measuring 12 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, this hydrofoil glides above the water for unprecedented speed and comfort. Bicycles and wheelchairs are also accepted. The service will eventually offer different atmospheres and classes depending on routes: Shuttle, Business, and Voyager.

As a reminder, the Candela P-12 consumes about 86% less energy to travel than a standard diesel boat. But its speed is also unmatched: in just 16 seconds, it can reach 27 knots, or 50 km/h. Overall, its operating cost will be twice as low as an equivalent diesel-powered vessel, not to mention additional rotations that will further improve its economic model.

Finally, the P-12 houses a 250 kWh battery powering a 44 kW electric motor. No CO2 or other pollutant emissions are recorded, of course. Recharging is done via a station delivering 175 kW, providing a range of 70 km that can be recovered in about 45 minutes.

This is how to convince people to give up their cars, rather than forcing them into crowded, expensive, and infrequent trains. When will this happen in Paris?

READ ALSO: Alstom will produce the new tramways for Lille Métropole