The technology behind Nova is based on the boat’s hull being lifted up on a kind of wings in the water, so-called airfoils. This means that the boat does not have to displace water in the same way as ordinary boats – it therefore requires much less energy.
– It pulls about 75% less than another ferry of the same size, says Gustav Hasselskog, founder of the company that manufactured Nova.
SVT has previously reported on the boat, which was also noticed in international media such as CNN and BBC. And on Tuesday, the first sharp journey with commuters took place.
This is how the ferry will operate
The flying electric ferry is a pilot project and collaboration between SL, the Swedish Transport Administration and Candela, the company that developed the boat.
The ferry will go between Klara mälarstrand by the city hall and Tappström on Ekerö. From the city, the boat has two departures per day on weekdays and three on holidays. The journey takes around 35 minutes and the boat can accommodate 25 people.
Depending on how the pilot project goes, hydrofoils may become an increasingly common feature of Stockholm’s public transport.
– I hope that we get a really climate-friendly alternative that we can also afford to operate in many more places, says Gustav Hemming. (C), regional council in the city of Stockholm.