Electric hydrofoils poised to transform UK marine travel

Hydrofoils are not simply electric boats with a touch of flamboyance; their fundamental engineering advantage is efficiency. By riding above the surface, the boat dramatically reduces drag, allowing for longer range, higher speed and lower operational energy use — critical considerations for electric propulsion, where battery capacity remains a constraint.

The study is examining port-side charging requirements, integration with local transport networks, suitability for year-round operation and the business case for replacing or supplementing existing air and sea links. This is a route frequently suffers from weather-related disruption, and the analysis suggests a foiling vessel could offer a smoother, more reliable crossing while cutting emissions to zero.

Studies cited in recent coverage of hydrofoil development highlight that foiling vessels not only travel more efficiently but also operate more quietly and generate far less wake. That makes them attractive for environmentally sensitive routes, as well as for harbours and coastal communities where noise and erosion are ongoing concerns. 

Crucially, these characteristics position hydrofoils as a potentially transformative option for short-sea and island transport networks, which have historically been difficult to decarbonise due to the weight and energy demands of traditional vessels.

While Cornwall is exploring viability, Orkney is already testing electric hydrofoils in some of the UK’s most demanding waters. The Electric Orkney project includes the introduction of two Artemis-built vessels — a smaller 12-passenger foiling boat with a larger 50-passenger craft to follow — supported by the installation of high-capacity shore chargers at Kirkwall.

The aim is to demonstrate a fully operational, zero-emission inter-island transport link. Orkney’s geography and weather make it a rigorous testing ground; if hydrofoils can operate reliably here, they can likely operate almost anywhere in the UK. The trials are also intended to gather data on infrastructure resilience, maintenance needs and passenger acceptance, informing future fleet replacement strategies for remote island communities.

Visitors to the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard may already be familiar with the rapid progress of electric marine engineering thanks to the presence of the E1 Series at FOS Future Lab presented by Randox. The race-bred electric hydrofoil powerboats showcased there demonstrate exactly how far the technology has evolved in a short period. Lightweight composite hulls, high-density battery systems and active ride control — once novel — are now becoming the standard toolkit for both racing craft and passenger operations on the water.

What the E1 Series represents in spectacle and speed, trials in Cornwall and Orkney represent in practical application. The same core technologies are now being adapted for vessels to carry commuters, residents and tourists, rather than racing ‘pilots’.

The technical viability of hydrofoils is increasingly clear, but infrastructure remains the decisive challenge. Ports require reliable high-capacity charging and operational adaptations to support quicker turnarounds. Maritime regulations must also evolve to reflect a new class of high-speed electric vessels with different handling and performance characteristics.

Both flagship UK trials emphasise this is not simply a matter of launching a new boat; it requires rethinking the entire ecosystem from shore to sea. Even so, the direction of travel is unmistakable. Electric hydrofoils are no longer theoretical: they are being built, trialled and considered for public service.

As FOS Future Lab will continue to highlight the technologies shaping tomorrow’s mobility at the 2026 Festival of Speed, electric hydrofoils represent a compelling vision of what marine travel could look like in the coming decade. Cleaner, quieter and significantly more efficient, they offer a realistic alternative for coastal and island communities seeking to reduce emissions while improving reliability. 

Readers of a certain age may remember hovercrafts operating in the English Channel between 1965 and 2005, even state-run by British Rail at one stage. Electric hydrofoils would represent the biggest evolution in British marine transport since they were taken out of service 20 years ago. 

If these trials prove successful, the next era of marine travel may not be built on bigger ships or faster engines, but on a simple idea: lift the hull, cut the drag, and let efficiency do the rest.

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