Vessev, a startup that builds electric hydrofoil ferries, is betting that lifting a boat's hull out of the water can make electric water transit more practical. The company's VS-9 uses underwater wing-like foils to rise above the surface as it gains speed, cutting drag and improving efficiency. That matters for electric boats, where battery range is a key constraint. Vessev raised a $19 million Series A in August and is now targeting commercial operators.
CEO Eric Laakmann says the combination of electric propulsion and hydrofoils can lower operating costs for smaller vessels and make them comfortable enough to augment urban mass transit. He points to New York City as a possible market, where such ferries could carry passengers to Brooklyn or Queens without requiring much new infrastructure. Early customers could include hotels and tour operators, and public demos have also attracted wealthy individuals. Vessev plans to build more VS-9s and may eventually sell electric hydrofoil kits to other boatbuilders.
The technology is not a universal fix. Hydrofoils work best in waters the boat can clear when sailing on its foils—about 2.5 feet for the VS-9. Larger waves hit the hull, ruining the smooth ride and sapping efficiency. That makes the design a good fit for lakes, rivers, and bays, but not the open ocean. Vessev builds its own motor in-house, while sourcing batteries externally, which Laakmann says have been commoditized.