Norwegian company Hyke’s electric F-15 Shuttle has completed a 14-month pilot in Fredrikstad. Demonstrating a strong case for urban electric ferries, Fredrikstad Municipality has confirmed the successful outcome of the Hyke F-15 Shuttle pilot programme, following 14 months of continuous operation in public transport service.
According to the report, the pilot trial confirmed very low energy costs and high passenger demand.
Halvor Vislie, CEO of Hyke, says: “The project shows that our urban waters can be used much more efficiently. Instead of digging tunnels or building bridges, which are hugely costly, electric ferries can quickly be deployed to shuttle large numbers of passengers. It’s time to rethink urban planning by putting waterways at the center. Together with Fredrikstad Municipality, we’ve demonstrated that Hyke F-15 can operate as part of everyday public transport – efficiently, quietly and with strong passenger acceptance.“
14-month pilot validates electric ferry performance
The vessel was deployed in active public service, providing a direct test of electric ferry performance vs diesel vessels within the Fredrikstad public transport network.
From April 2024 to July 2025, the fully electric, 50-passenger ferry operated as part of Fredrikstad’s municipal transport system on the Bekkhus–Vaterland route, carrying more than 41,000 passengers in daily operation. The route covered a 225-metre river crossing with an average crossing time of approximately two minutes, demonstrating a high-frequency urban transport application.
According to the boatbuilder, the Hyke F-15 Shuttle offers up to 88 per cent or 8x lower energy consumption than diesel vessels. It uses roughly the same amount of power as five household hair dryers.
Hyke says this evidence shows that electric urban ferries are a key enabler in electrifying cities and can often replace not just other ferries but also serve as a cost-efficient alternative to building pedestrian bridges or tunnels.
Energy savings strengthen business case
During the project, the vessel delivered:
- 14 months operation in live public transport with no safety incidents
- 8 × lower energy consumption than comparable diesel ferries
- 4.72/5.00 passenger satisfaction and 100 per cent user loyalty
- More than 41,000 passengers transported in daily service
Tom Mauno, Fredrikstad Municipality, says: “The Hyke F-15 Shuttle pilot represents a clear success for Fredrikstad Municipality in advancing sustainable urban mobility.”
Backed by European and national programmes
The pilot was conducted as part of Fredrikstad’s broader sustainable mobility strategy and supported through:
- The Urban Growth Agreement (Bypakke Nedre Glomma)
- The EU Horizon Europe SUM (Seamless Urban Mobility) programme
As a designated ‘living lab’ within the SUM programme, the project contributes to European efforts to develop and scale sustainable urban mobility solutions.
Scaling phase to focus on new builds and operator partnerships
This trial announcement marks the first of several announcements Hyke will be making in the coming months. Hyke is planning to follow this with another announcement later this month, which will focus on scaling, through additional vessel builds and the establishment of a joint venture with one of the largest operators in Norway.
Candela and Hyke
Ocean Zero, the investment firm led by TED’s Chris Anderson, is a major investor in both electric boatbuilder Candela and Hyke. Through its backing of both companies, Ocean Zero is effectively building a complementary portfolio across electric waterborne transport. Candela has focused on high-speed, longer-range vessels, while Hyke is designed for high-frequency, short-distance urban routes where capacity and accessibility are critical.
Rather than competing, the two approaches address different use cases and together cover a broader operational spectrum.
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