The noisy and sometimes frightful commute from the Gateway of India in Mumbai to Alibaug by boat is about to change for the better. JalVimana, an Indian company, plans to deploy electric boats powered by Swedish hydrofoil technology on the route. The boats (P-12 Business model) have been shipped from Sweden by electric vessel builder Candela, and are expected to arrive in Mumbai soon.
Candela claims that the P-12 glides over waves, with passengers insulated from both motion and noise, offering a cushioned, lounge experience.
To achieve this experience, the Candela P-12 uses computer-guided hydrofoils, or underwater wings, to raise its hull above the water, reducing energy consumption, eliminating wake and slamming, and running silently. Its batteries can be re-charged like that of an electric car.
In June 2025, JalVimana CEO Niraj Thakur announced that the company has purchased, and will operate an initial fleet of 11 P-12 vessels, with plans to increase the size of the fleet over time.
The initial batch of boats is expected to be deployed on the Gateway of India to Alibaug and the Elephanta Island routes as an alternative to diesel ferries. In future, the Candela P-12 is expected to cater to people travelling from central Mumbai to the new airport at Navi Mumbai, bringing down the travel time from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes.
