Vessev and Fullers launched an electric hydrofoiling tourism vessel on Auckland Harbour

Vessev and Fullers put what they described as the world's first electric hydrofoiling tourism vessel on the Waitemata Harbour. The VS-9 is a nine-meter carbon-fiber catamaran that lifts its hulls clear of the water on foils, cutting energy use while making almost no wake and very little noise.

We backed Vessev because efficient electric marine transport is a large opportunity, and hydrofoiling is the approach that makes battery-powered range and comfort work on the water. Getting a vessel into service with New Zealand's largest ferry operator, rather than keeping it in demonstration, is the hard part of marine hardware. Operators facing pressure to cut emissions and fuel costs are the customers for quiet, efficient electric craft.

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