After 14 months in daily public transport service in Fredrikstad, Hyke’s fully electric F-15 Shuttle has demonstrated exceptionally low energy consumption, strong passenger demand, and a compelling case for electric ferries as a cost-effective urban mobility solution
Traffic jams plague cities worldwide, yet their waterways remain underused. After successful public transport, Norwegian tech company Hyke shows there’s a better alternative to building bridges or tunnels—unlocking the potential of water and existing urban infrastructure.
Fredrikstad Municipality has confirmed the successful outcome of the Hyke F-15 Shuttle pilot in a new report, following 14 months of continuous operation in public transport service, demonstrating very low energy costs and high passenger demand. 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.
Between April 2024 and July 2025, the fully electric passenger 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.
With up to 88% or 8x lower energy consumption than diesel vessels, the Hyke F-15 Shuttle sets a new benchmark for efficiency. It uses roughly the same amount of power as five household hair dryers.
The results indicate that electric ferries can serve not only as replacements for conventional vessels, but in certain cases as a cost-efficient alternative to fixed infrastructure such as pedestrian bridges or tunnels.
By using existing waterways, cities can establish new transport links with minimal physical intervention and significantly lower capital requirements.
“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,”
“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.”
Halvor Vislie, CEO of Hyke.
Electric ferry proven in daily public transport use
The Hyke Shuttle was introduced as a dedicated service within Fredrikstad’s ferry system, operating alongside existing routes throughout the pilot period.
Over the course of the project, the vessel delivered:
- 14 months of continuous operation in public transport with no safety incidents
- Up to 8× lower energy consumption than comparable diesel ferries
- Passenger satisfaction of 4.72 / 5.00
- 100% user loyalty
- More than 41,000 passengers transported in daily service
“The Hyke F-15 Shuttle pilot represents a clear success for Fredrikstad Municipality in advancing sustainable urban mobility.”
Fredrikstad Municipality
A new generation of electric passenger ferry
The Hyke F-15 Shuttle is a fully electric passenger vessel developed for short urban crossings and municipal transport applications. The vessel combines lightweight construction with an energy-efficient propulsion system, enabling extended operation with minimal energy use.
Key specifications:
- Passenger capacity: 50
- Vessel weight: approximately 12 tonnes
- Battery capacity: 188 kWh (gross)
- Energy consumption: approximately 10–12 kWh per hour
- Operational endurance: approximately 10 hours per charge
The pilot demonstrated that the vessel operates with significantly lower energy consumption than conventional diesel ferries, while eliminating direct emissions and reducing noise levels in urban environments.
Operational learning and future potential
Beyond technical performance, the pilot generated substantial operational and institutional learning for Fredrikstad Municipality.
The project provided experience in:
- Electric propulsion systems and vessel operation
- Charging infrastructure and energy management
- Winter operations and infrastructure resilience
- Passenger behaviour and service adoption
These insights form a foundation for further deployment of electric ferry systems in urban environments.
A milestone for Hyke
For Hyke, the project represents a key milestone in demonstrating its electric passenger ferry technology in real-world public transport use.
Hyke develops fully electric vessels designed for urban and inland mobility, combining lightweight construction, energy efficiency, and system architectures intended for future scalability.
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, the project contributes to wider European efforts to develop and scale sustainable urban mobility solutions.
Facts
- Pilot period: April 2024 – July 2025
- Total passengers: approximately 41,200
- Customer satisfaction: 4.72 / 5.00
- Energy consumption: approximately 10–12 kWh per hour
- Equivalent power use: roughly five household hair dryers
- Operational endurance: approximately 10 hours per charge
- Final report publication: April 2026
Read the full report here
Media contact
Charles Pembroke-Birss
Vice President of Sales, Hyke
[email protected]
+47 4796 6438