Mumbai Electric Dream Is Flying High on H2O
Image Credit: Candela.
Not that long ago, I used to bang on about the joy of a roaring V8, the intoxicating scent of high-octane fuel, or the wind in your hair on a proper, thrumming motorcycle. And I still do - from time to time. But times are changing, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the bustling, beautiful, and dare I say, bonkers city of Mumbai. There, they're not just dabbling in electric, they're diving in headfirst. With flying boats.
Flying boats? No, not the kind with wings and turbines that zip through the skies, but the aquatic variety that somehow, through the magic of Swedish engineering and a clever bit of computer trickery, lifts itself out of the water like a graceful, silent, electric dolphin.
Image Credit: Candela.
I'm talking about the Candela P-12 electric ferry, and Mumbai has just placed the largest order for these magnificent beasts in the history of electric ferries. Eleven of them, to be precise, with visions of thousands more dancing in their heads.
Why would anyone want a boat that pretends to be an airplane? Aside from the novelty factor – which is reason enough for many of us – these Candela P-12s are absolute masters of efficiency. When a regular boat churns through the water, it creates quite a lot of drag. It's like trying to run through a treacle, only more watery. But the P-12, once it gets up to speed, deploys these elegant underwater wings. These wings lift the entire hull out of the water, reducing that drag by 80%.
Image Credit: Candela.
What does this magical hydrofoiling act translate to? For starters, it means a buttery smooth ride. No more nauseating pitching and rolling that sends weaker stomachs scrambling for the nearest rail. Apparently, these boats are so stable, they offer "nausea-free" transit. If you're one of those unfortunate souls who turns green at just the thought of a choppy sea, this could be your aquatic salvation. And it's not just comfortable; it's quiet. You won't hear the angry snarl of a diesel engine, just the gentle whisper of electric propulsion. Perfect for a quick nap on your commute, if you're into that sort of thing.
The P-12 is a rather dapper-looking vessel, too. It's about 39 feet, 4 inches long, with a beam of 14 feet, 9 inches. Not exactly a superyacht, but spacious enough to carry 30 passengers and a crew of one. There's room for bicycles and wheelchairs, plus the bow ramp has been designed to be flexible, accommodating various dock heights, so no more awkward leaps of faith onto terra firma.
Image Credit: Candela.
But the real party trick, the one that makes my cynical heart beat a little faster, is the speed. These P-12s are powered by two Candela C-POD motors, delivering a combined peak output of 429 horsepower. That might not sound like much compared to your average performance car, but remember, we're talking about a vessel that barely touches the water when it's moving.
The Candela P-12 has a service speed of 25 knots (that's about 29 miles per hour for those of us not fluent in nautical speak) and a top speed of 30 knots (roughly 34.5 miles per hour). And with a battery capacity of 336 kWh, these boats can cover about 40 nautical miles on a single charge. And they can recharge from 10% to 85% in about 45 minutes using a fast charger. Faster than ordering a decent cup of coffee in some places…
Image Credit: Candela.
Back to Mumbai then, a city famed for its "leisurely" commutes. The P-12 will slash travel time between the Gateway of India and Alibaug from a soul-crushing two to three hours by car down to 25 minutes by sea. And an airport connection that currently takes 90 minutes? Under 30 minutes with these flying wonders. If that doesn't put a smile on a commuter's face, I don't know what will. Maybe a free bagel.
Now, the all-important price tag. Each Candela P-12 will set Mumbai back around $1.89 million. A pretty penny, to be sure, but when you consider the long-term savings in fuel – these things consume about 90% less energy than their diesel counterparts – and the vastly reduced maintenance, it starts to look like a rather shrewd investment. Plus, they're not spitting out any CO2 emissions as they go, which is a nice bonus for a city that isn't known for its pristine air quality.
Image Credit: Candela.
The good people of Maharashtra, the state where Mumbai resides, are hoping to deploy thousands of these vessels. It's part of a seriously ambitious plan to rethink how people move around the 9th largest city in the world. If they get it right, Mumbai has a chance to be a shining example for the rest of the world. Imagine not being stuck in gridlock on a freeway, or crammed into a subterranean metal tube, but gracefully gliding above the water instead. Almost makes you want to move to Mumbai, doesn't it? Almost.
