Are Amphibious Electric Vehicles the Next Big Thing?

Poseidon AmphibWorks is truly “extending roads & highways into the water” via affordable and amphibious Hydrofoil “boat-car” vehicles.

Poseidon AmphibWorks is an innovative transportation startup focused on developing amphibious electric vehicles. Founded in 2022 by Steve Tice, an aerospace engineer and co-founder of the electric drivetrain company EVDrive, and Andy Langesfeld, an expert in watercraft and amphibious vehicles, the company is working on the Trident TS-1—a high-performance vehicle designed to seamlessly transition between land and water.

The Trident combines a reverse trike three-wheel car for land use with a hydrofoil system for smooth and efficient water navigation. Unlike previous amphibious vehicles, Poseidon’s design aims to be more practical, affordable, and environmentally friendly, using electric power for both land and water operations​.

EVinfo.net reached out to Steve Tice for comment about the Trident TS-1.

Tice said: “Aside of the pent-up demand since the late 60s when AMPHICAR went out of business after selling 4,000 of the 25k unit planned, the cost to get to market and risk is much lower due to vehicle’s motorcycle classification, closer to a powersport vehicle, in the $25m range rather than a new car, ~4x that cost.”

The company’s goal is to disrupt the niche amphibious vehicle market by offering a solution that addresses both recreational and commercial needs, such as water taxis, emergency response, and personal use. The Trident’s price point is targeted at around $130,000, positioning it as a more practical alternative to the expensive, gasoline-powered amphibious vehicles that are typically used as luxury toys.

The Trident is designed as a “Highway/Marine legal Hydrofoil Enhanced Amphibious Autocycle,” integrating cutting-edge electric road technology with advanced hydrofoil marine systems. This allows the vehicle to perform exceptionally both on land and in water, with adjustable depth foils and thrusters enabling efficient travel in shallow water, a key feature for versatility.

The Trident LS-1 is being developed with compliance to both U.S. highway and Coast Guard regulations, ensuring its suitability for a wide range of applications, including recreational use and search-and-rescue operations. A standout feature is its ability to be “flat-towed” behind an RV, meaning it can be towed on its own wheels without the need for a trailer—an innovation in the electric vehicle industry.

Designed to be multi-functional, the Trident is poised to serve not only as a recreational vehicle but also as a practical solution for emergency services and other specialized uses. The vehicle’s dual functionality as both a highway car and a marine vessel positions it as a unique offering in the transportation market.

The Poseidon Trident LS-1 stands out as an innovative amphibious electric vehicle with several unique features:

Flat-Towable Capability: The Trident LS-1 is the only EV currently designed to be “flat-towable,” meaning it can be towed behind an RV without requiring a trailer. This feature is convenient for owners who want to bring the vehicle on road trips or outdoor adventures, simplifying transportation and storage.

Global Accessibility: The vehicle is designed to use thousands of boat ramps worldwide, making it easy for owners to launch the vehicle into the water. Additionally, the Trident LS-1 is compatible with the global Level 1, 2, and DC Fast Charging networks, ensuring that owners can easily charge the vehicle at numerous locations, enhancing convenience during long trips.

Campsite Capability: Poseidon AmphibWorks plans to offer a “Vehicle-to-Home” feature, which would allow the Trident LS-1 to serve as a backup power source for a home. This capability requires special EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and grid disconnect units to be installed, enabling the vehicle to power a home in the event of an outage or during high-demand periods.

Modular, Reconfigurable Rear Deck: The Trident LS-1 features a versatile rear deck that can be reconfigured for various uses. For example, it could be outfitted with a camping kit, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. This flexibility extends the vehicle’s functionality for a wide range of recreational and practical applications.

Superior Value Proposition: The vehicle is designed to offer a competitive price point, ensuring that customers receive a high-quality, multifunctional EV with unique capabilities at an attractive value.

This combination of amphibious performance, reconfigurable features, and EV technology positions the Trident LS-1 as a standout in the electric vehicle market, catering to consumers looking for both adventure and practicality.

This vehicle is still in development, and Poseidon AmphibWorks is working towards bringing it to market as a high-performance, multi-application amphibious EV.

Poseidon is currently in the fundraising phase and has begun developing a prototype​.

For more details on Poseidon’s vision and their work on the Trident, you can visit the Poseidon AmphibWorks website.