A Russian team has presented an elegant electric hydrofoil boat that combines the latest electrical technology with a retro-tech design that looks very different.
This 8.9-meter-long boat is called Molniya, meaning lightning in Russian, and has been developed over four years by Artem Markov’s team. A designer who sought the development of a silent boat without the models’ incredible vibrations equipped with a combustion engine.
One of the peculiarities of this work is the commitment to the hydrofoil. According to Markov, the decision to adopt it has been for the search of the form to reduce the resistance, increase efficiency, and comfort the occupants.
For propulsion, the decision was made to adapt the nominal 80 kW inboard stern thruster, 110 kW maximum, which propels it up to a cruising speed of about 20 knots and a maximum speed of 36 knots.
Regarding autonomy, the Molniya has a 160 kWh battery that allows it to travel up to 135 nautical miles at 5 knots of speed. In intermediate mode and a speed between 17 and 20 knots, it can reach a figure of between 43 and 64 miles. For its part, at maximum speed, autonomy will reach 37.5 nautical miles.
Within the technology developed, there are elements as interesting in the case of a ship as managing the loading system. Thanks to this, the owner will establish a route in the GPS, and the system will notify her of how fast she can move to complete her journey without running out of charge. You can even automatically slow down to save energy if necessary.
A charge that will need about 3.5 hours according to the selected socket to achieve 100%, although it will have an ultra-fast charge option that can reach 100% capacity in one hour.
The first demonstration tours and fairs were planned for this summer, but the health crisis has delayed these events. The Russian manufacturer has already opened the reservation terms with a view to making the first deliveries already in 2021. With a price that has not been confirmed, it will depend on factors such as the customization that makes a model with ample aesthetic and technical possibilities.