An aesthetic design and a sustainable future - that was the aim of Venetian design studio 'Nuvolari Lenard' when it designed the 'Thunder water taxi'. The 14-seat boat stays true to the classic wood style of Venice's luxury water limousines and features a new diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system that emits lessCO2.
Venice has long been working towards a more sustainable balance between tourism and local life. As a city of nearly 120 small islands connected by waterways, the city is inseparable from efficient water transport. Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard show that their city can contribute to a more sustainable type of water taxi while benefiting from this aesthetic transport system.
Hybrid drive
As Venetians, Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard feel a strong connection with the city and have experienced first-hand how air and noise pollution coupled with physical wear and tear damage Venice's delicate buildings. So at the Venice Boat Show, both presented a diesel-electric hybrid drive as a solution to this problem. The diesel engine provides the range and power for trips in open water to and from the airport. Meanwhile, the battery recharges and stores energy that is then used for low-speed cruises through city canals. The diesel-electric propulsion system delivers up to 306 hp and features a 190-litre diesel tank.
Classic lines
Nuvolari Lenard modernised the boat's propulsion system but fell back on the classic lines and upholstery of a Venetian water limousine for the design. Wood adorns the foredeck of the fibreglass hull for the cockpit. The passenger cabin shows a touch of modernity with a transparent roof but houses a classic layout with benches with padded upholstery. Folding armrests split the sofas into more individual armchairs.
Vizianello, a Venice-based water limousine manufacturer, built the 9.2-metre prototype. After testing and certifying the model, Nuvolari Lenard announced the launch of the hybrid taxi. Besides being used as a taxi, the Thunder can also be used in other versions, including a superyacht tender.
Nuvolari Lenard also plans to develop a hydrogen fuel cell water taxi and says it is in talks with an Asian car manufacturer about using its fuel cell technology for the prototype.
