An electric passenger ferry could soon transform travel along B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 coast, with plans to launch service between downtown Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast by 2027.

On June 16, Victoria will get a first look at that future. The sleek, fully electric Artemis EF-12 Escape will be tested in the Inner Harbour, showcasing its high-speed, zero-emission potential.

Built by Belfast-based Artemis Technologies, the vessel uses a hydrofoil system, a submerged 香蕉视频直播渨ing香蕉视频直播� that lifts the ferry above the water while cruising, dramatically reducing drag and energy use.

While the EF-12 Escape seats just 12 passengers, Artemis has also developed a larger version, the EF-24 Passenger, which carries up to 150 people. That香蕉视频直播檚 the model Greenline Ferries hopes to launch by 2027.

Greenline, a Victoria-based company, says the capital is a logical first stop.

香蕉视频直播淰ictoria香蕉视频直播檚 a great first landing spot,香蕉视频直播� said Greenline founder and CEO Callum Campbell. 香蕉视频直播淭he vessel香蕉视频直播檚 coming up from Seattle, and obviously Victoria香蕉视频直播檚 a bit of a hub for ferries 香蕉视频直播� and for the province in general 香蕉视频直播� so we want to show it off and demonstrate with key stakeholders.香蕉视频直播�

While Greenline香蕉视频直播檚 initial focus is on connecting downtown Vancouver with Bowen Island and Gibsons, Campbell sees long-term potential around Greater Victoria, especially through the company香蕉视频直播檚 partnership with FRS Clipper, which is co-hosting the demonstration voyages.

While the company is based in Victoria, and a test run will cruise through the Inner Harbour, they don't have confirmed plans to expand into Victoria. 

香蕉视频直播淭here are routes like Royal Bay and Esquimalt that have been talked about,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e not in our initial plans, but they show what香蕉视频直播檚 possible."

From June 16 to 23, the EF-12 Escape will offer by-invitation demo trips to highlight its performance.

Mark Collins, CEO of FRS Clipper 香蕉视频直播� which runs the popular Victoria Clipper 香蕉视频直播� believes the ferry could be a game-changer.

香蕉视频直播淭here is tremendous opportunity to introduce reliable, high-frequency passenger ferry service to B.C. coastal communities thanks to cost-effective technology like this,香蕉视频直播� he said.

The ferry reaches up to 36 knots 香蕉视频直播� nearly twice the speed of conventional ferries 香蕉视频直播� and will stop in Vancouver (June 20), Bowen Island (June 21), and Gibsons (June 22), before wrapping up with technical trials June 23香蕉视频直播�25.

The ferry香蕉视频直播檚 foiling design allows it to 香蕉视频直播渇ly香蕉视频直播� above the water, cutting power use by half compared to traditional ferries.

香蕉视频直播淭hat means, just like an electric car, you香蕉视频直播檝e got more range, can go faster, and use power far more efficiently,香蕉视频直播� Campbell said.

Campbell emphasized that the EF-12 is a testing platform, not a service vessel.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e using it to test key technologies 香蕉视频直播� specifically debris detection and collision avoidance systems.香蕉视频直播�

Though the EF-12 carries just 12 passengers, the EF-24 Passenger is designed for full-scale operations. Artemis Technologies, born of an America香蕉视频直播檚 Cup racing team, adapted its hydrofoil expertise for commercial vessels.

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檝e really commercialized that racing technology into work boats and ferries,香蕉视频直播� Campbell said. 香蕉视频直播淓verything香蕉视频直播檚 developed and built in Belfast.香蕉视频直播�

Looking ahead to 2027, Greenline香蕉视频直播檚 next steps include finalizing a downtown Vancouver terminal, ordering vessels, and deploying 香蕉视频直播渃harge barges香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播� floating platforms equipped with rapid electric charging.

香蕉视频直播淗aving a landing site in downtown Vancouver is obviously critical,香蕉视频直播� Campbell said. 香蕉视频直播淥rdering the boats, building the barges 香蕉视频直播� those processes take 12 to 18 months.香蕉视频直播�

Greenline is working with BC Hydro, the Town of Gibsons, and the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority to refine the charge barge concept 香蕉视频直播� a combined dock and charging hub.

香蕉视频直播淵ou can build it off-site and float it into a community,香蕉视频直播� Campbell said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 like an all-in-one charging station and landing space.香蕉视频直播�

The company is still studying the EF-24香蕉视频直播檚 performance metrics, including charging duration and range.

With two years to go before launch, Greenline sees this summer香蕉视频直播檚 demos as a major step toward modernizing marine transit in B.C.

香蕉视频直播淲e see opportunities for all-electric passenger ferries everywhere,香蕉视频直播� said Campbell. 香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 so much potential across the province.香蕉视频直播�