UK Firm Unveils Electric Hydrofoil With 50-Passenger Capacity

UK-based Artemis Technologies has unveiled a 15-metre fully electric hydrofoil vessel design capable of carrying up to 50 passengers.

The vessel scales up the company’s 12-passenger hydrofoil vessel. Artemis is aiming the design at transit in urban areas and islands, premium passenger services, and logistics operations.

The design will be offered in transit, executive and cargo configurations. The transit layout is intended for high-occupancy, high-frequency services connecting urban centres, island communities and coastal destinations.

The executive variant will have lower-occupancy premium cabins, and the cargo version will have onboard space and payload matched to route requirements.

Artemis said operators will be able to deploy different configurations within the same network.

The vessel will have a maximum speed of 34 knots, a cruising speed of 28 knots, and a range of 45 nautical miles. The company noted that vessel configuration, load, sea conditions, and temperature will affect these figures. Optional range extenders will be available for longer routes.

The company also said a full charge can be completed in under 60 minutes, allowing operators to schedule charging around service timetables.

The vessel uses Artemis’s patented electric propulsion and hydrofoil system. The system incorporates retractable hydrofoils, an electric drivetrain operating entirely below the water’s surface and automated flight controls that manage ride height, roll and pitch, leaving the pilot to control heading and speed.

Artemis said lifting the hull clear of the water reduces wake and shoreline impact.

The new concept has been designed to meet US Coast Guard Subchapter T requirements for small passenger vessels as well as the HSC Code.

“By increasing capacity to as many as 50 passengers and creating a configurable platform, we can address everything from high-frequency urban transit to premium passenger and logistics applications,” said Artemis CEO Iain Percy.