Massive waves from the city’s speedboats are causing irreparable damage to the iconic buildings. But what if all the taxis, ambulances and commuter ferries that serve as the city’s main form of transportation could fly above the water, without making wakes – and be electric? On Monday, the revolutionary Candela C-7 electric hydrofoil boat will be back in town for a public demonstration of its unique capabilities.

In the 1950’s gas powered motor boats came to Venice, increasing the speed and efficiency of water transportation. But they also created the problem known to Venetians as Moto Ondoso – wake induced damage – that threatens to erode the foundations of Venice. The 800-year old buildings are built on wooden pillars not designed to withstand the high-energy impact from the swells created by the city’s fleet of diesel-burning speedboats.

The wakes are seen as such a problem, that Gondoliers and activists repeatedly have demonstrated against speedboats by blocking the city’s waterways.