Luxury on hydrofoils: the electric boat Candela C-8 /

The new Candela C-8 ‘powered by Polestar’ is the first product of a collaboration between Polestar and Candela. The two Swedish premium mobility brands reached an agreement last year for Polestar to supply batteries and technology to power Candela’s electric hydrofoils.

The Candela C-8 ‘powered by Polestar’ is intended to use the same 69 kWh battery pack and DC charging technology as the Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor. Candela expects a range of up to 57 nautical miles on a single charge at a cruising speed of 22 knots, favorably compared to internal combustion engine powerboats, and with a high-speed range 2-3 times longer than conventional electric speedboats.

“Using Polestar batteries, the Candela C-8 will be the first electric craft capable of traveling to destinations previously only accessible by internal combustion engine boats. The Candela C-8 powered by Polestar represents a major breakthrough for marine electrification,” said Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela.

This high electric performance at sea is possible thanks to a combination of innovative technology from both Candela and Polestar. The Candela C-8 uses an efficient direct drive pod motor – the Candela C-POD – and ‘flies’ on computer-controlled hydrofoils that lift the hull above the water at high speeds, reducing energy consumption by up to 80% compared to with traditional motorboats.

In addition to Polestar 2’s 69kWh battery pack, Polestar is also providing DC fast charging technology for the Candela C-8, sharing research and development capabilities to integrate the technology and software into a marine application to transfer it from land to sea .

“Sharing battery and vehicle technology know-how with Candela will help achieve our shared goal of transitioning to a future where all modes of transportation are sustainable,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.

Supplying batteries and charging components to a third party in this way is a first for Polestar as an EV manufacturer and expands Polestar’s efforts to drive sustainable electric mobility beyond the automotive industry.