REGENT, Schneider Electric, and World4Solar partner to demonstrate remote Seaglider charging capabilities
North Kingstown, R.I., May 18, 2026 — REGENT Craft, the developer and manufacturer of all-electric and hybrid-electric Seaglider™ vessels, today announced a successful demonstration of remote charging capabilities in partnership with Schneider Electric and World4Solar. The milestone marks a significant step in enabling Seaglider operations in locations with limited or no traditional grid infrastructure, expanding the potential range and flexibility of commercial and defense missions.
Through this collaboration, Schneider Electric adapted its high-power charging technology to integrate with World4Solar’s modular battery energy storage. The resulting solution allows REGENT’s Seagliders - high-speed, novel vehicles that operate within a wingspan of the water’s surface in ground effect on an aerodynamically efficient cushion of air – to operate independently of established port infrastructure. The demonstration showed how the vessels could be charged away from established ports and high-density infrastructure, enabling operations across a broader set of coastal, island, and austere environments.
For commercial operators, remote charging can help extend Seaglider service to more routes and destinations, supporting passenger travel, cargo movement, and offshore logistics in areas where charging infrastructure may be limited. For defense customers, the capability is especially relevant to distributed maritime operations, where the ability to distribute power generation and storage in austere conditions can increase mission endurance, flexibility, and resilience.
The remote charging concept utilizes a three-pillar approach:
- Modular Energy Storage: Delivering energy storage units to remote or temporary sites.
- Hardened Hardware: Adapting high-power charging components for off-grid maritime environments.
- DC-Coupled Architecture: Using a direct-current (DC) architecture to bypass the multiple conversion stages of traditional AC charging, significantly increasing efficiency and reliability.
“Seagliders are designed to unlock fast, efficient maritime mobility across the world’s coastal regions, and charging flexibility is a critical part of making that vision a reality,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT. “Working with Schneider Electric, we’re showing how Seagliders can operate beyond traditional infrastructure, supporting both commercial operators and defense missions in the places they’re needed most.”
“Schneider Electric is focused on enabling the future of resilient, sustainable electrification. Our work with REGENT demonstrates how adaptable charging solutions can support new forms of electric mobility, including operations in remote and infrastructure-constrained environments,” said Chris Evanich, Commercial Leader, Schneider Electric.
Seagliders as Mobile Energy Assets
Beyond receiving power, the demonstration highlighted the potential for Seaglider hybrid technology to deliver power into remote environments. In addition to being charged in austere locations, Seagliders could serve as mobile energy assets, bringing electric power generated by the Seaglider’s hybrid system to remote sites and supporting the charging of equipment, infrastructure, or mission-critical systems where reliable power is limited.
“In contested and austere environments, power is a mission-critical resource,” said Tom Huntley, GM of REGENT Defense. “The ability for Seagliders to not only operate from distributed locations, but also to bring energy forward to support expeditionary basing, communications, sensors, and other mission systems, creates new flexibility for maritime forces. This demonstration is an important step toward enabling more resilient, distributed operations across the littorals.”
For commercial operators, this technology extends Seaglider service to new coastal and island routes, facilitating cargo and passenger movement without requiring massive port grid upgrades. For defense customers, it supports distributed maritime operations, enhancing mission endurance and resilience in remote theaters.
The successful demonstration underscores REGENT’s commitment to building a scalable ecosystem that operates independently of traditional maritime constraints.
About REGENT
REGENT is pioneering the future of maritime mobility through the development and manufacturing of Seaglider™ vessels, high-speed hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft that operate over the water within a wingspan of the surface, combining the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat. A dual use company based in Rhode Island, U.S., REGENT has secured global commercial orders valued at more than $10 billion from leading airline and ferry operators around the world, as well as $15 million in contracts with the U.S. Marine Corps. REGENT has raised more than $100 million from investors including 8090 Industries, Founders Fund, Japan Airlines, and Lockheed Martin.
REGENT Craft Press Team regent@boldspace.com