Electric tourism hydrofoil for Auckland

A 10-seater battery electric hydrofoiling F8 vessel is expected to start operating on tourism ventures in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf from September 2023 under a Fullers360 and Seachange partnership.

The collaboration is a significant milestone in the business’s decarbonisation journey and marks a new era in high-end tourism for New Zealand, says Fullers360 chief executive Mike Horne.

“This partnership is a sign of our commitment to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vessels right across our business,” he adds.

“We’ve previously signalled this for our public transport services, and now we’re pleased to announce a new high-end tourism experience to the Hauraki Gulf.

“New Zealand tourism operators need to provide innovative, sustainable, climate friendly options to inspire our local and overseas visitors, in a way that also delivers better outcomes for our environment. Our partnership with Seachange will deliver exactly that,” says Horne.

“This is travel like Kiwis have never seen before. Customers will be able to glide across the Hauraki Gulf with quiet electric engines in pure comfort while enjoying the beauty of the marine environment.”

Founded in 2018, Auckland-based Seachange designs and builds zero-emission hydrofoiling vessels for tourism and transport operators.

The start-up’s advanced hydrofoiling technology allows it to deliver vessels which meet both the speed and range demands of commercial operators, while also providing a more comfortable journey for passengers than comparable non-hydrofoiling boats.

The F8 will be eight metres long and have a 30knots an hour (about 55kmh) top speed, its battery pack producing 125kWh of power and 600Nm torque, able to travel 55 nautical miles (101km) on a single charge.

Dockside charging will be from a standard CCS Type 2 EV fast charger.

More specific details are likely to be available next year, says Fullers360.

Seachange founder and chief executive Max Olson says the business aims to unlock significant emissions reductions in the commercial maritime sectors.

“A shared respect of and connection to the ocean, commitment to green technology, and ambition for New Zealand to lead in the future of water transport, was the instigator for this partnership, Olson explains.

Construction of the F8 vessel is already underway and it’s expected the public will be able to book from September 2023, in time for next summer.

The partnership supports commitment and investment by Fullers360 to deliver electric hybrid vessels to Auckland’s public transport ferry network – the first which will arrive in Auckland and start services in 2024.

“Fullers360 and key partners believe green ferry transport and tourism offerings are the future,” says Horne.

“Together we are pioneering a new era in sustainable maritime travel for Auckland through research and development that will see the delivery and execution of a decarbonised ferry fleet, and new energy sources powering vessels on the water.”

EVs and Beyond has previously covered electric ferry stories for the Hauraki Gulf with the first Auckland electric ferry expected to launch in 2024, and Wellington.