An electric hydrofoil passenger vessel, Vessev VS-9, is trialled on Lake Wakatipu. Photo: suppliedAn electric hydrofoil ferrying passengers on Lake Wakatipu could take pressure off congested Queenstown roads, the backers of a new trial say. Led by Kingston Village Ltd in partnership with marine technology company Vessev, the first trial of an electric hydrofoil took place on Tuesday. A wider feasibility study into an electric foiling ferry between the southern end of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown Bay was planned for later this year, the company said. Electric hydrofoils reduced emissions, and produced "very little wake", meaning people could move quickly across Lake Wakatipu more sustainably, he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 06, 2026 21:35 UTC