Candela and FlyTahoe Brings EV Ferry to Lake Tahoe
A new electric ferry could transform Lake Tahoe sightseeing and commutes and reduce pollution. However, launching the Candela P-12, a collaboration between Swedish Candela and California-based FlyTahoe, comes with challenges: how to manufacture according to US regulations and securing funding are key hurdles for the project.
The Candela P-12 will be the first electric hydrofoiling ferry in the United States.
“I’ve seen the problem in Lake Tahoe firsthand. Most people driving around the lake just want to enjoy the view, but it’s causing pollution, and it takes time. It’s especially crowded during the summer and winter,” says Ryan Meinzer, Founder and CEO of FlyTahoe.
The ferry will operate a 30-minute route between South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe, offering a faster alternative to the often two-hour drive. Designed to minimize environmental impact, it uses cutting-edge technology to "fly" above the water, cutting energy consumption by 80% compared to traditional ferries.
FlyTahoe and Candela aim to have the first ferry running within a year, but U.S. law requires passenger ferries to be built domestically.
Funding the project is another challenge. While the costs for the first ferry have not been disclosed, Meinzer acknowledges that more than one vessel would have a greater impact.
The ferry’s ticket price will aim to be competitive with the total cost of driving. “It won’t be $10,” Meinzer says, “but we aim to have a price below the total cost of owning a car, driving, and the time it takes.”
The ferry is designed to carry 30 passengers and will operate year-round, as Lake Tahoe does not freeze over.
“This is not only for tourists,” Meinzer adds. “It’s cheaper to live in the south, but this will allow people to work in the north without driving for two hours.”
The ferry will require charging infrastructure at marinas, and discussions with local facilities are underway. Meinzer envisions this as the beginning of a broader transformation.
“The ferry needs to be charged, and it’s the start of a new business hub on the lake,” he says.
FlyTahoe also sees potential for expanding this model to other cities.
“We’re open for partners and to do the same thing in more places,” Meinzer notes, emphasizing the potential for cleaner, more efficient waterways across the country.
Veronica Cargay at Candela in Sausalito commented on the partnership on social media: “This fall, I was fortunate enough to take Ryan Meinzer out on our C-8 here in the San Francisco Bay and show him what hydrofoiling and Candela are all about. So happy he's dreamt up Fly Tahoe, and can't wait to see the Candela out on the water in one of my favorite places in California.”
Candela is a Swedish technology company that specializes in electric hydrofoil vessels. Its innovative designs drastically reduce energy consumption and emissions in maritime transport.
FlyTahoe, founded by Ryan Meinzer, is a California-based company that introduced electric flying ferries to revolutionize cross-lake transit in Lake Tahoe. Ryan Meinzer is a California-based entrepreneur and technologist with a diverse background in product management, software development, and sales leadership.
