Candela and Polestar have teamed up to produce the new Candela C-8 "powered by Polestar," an electric yacht. In August of 2022, Candela and Polestar, a Swedish luxury electric car manufacturer, came to an arrangement whereby Polestar would supply batteries and technology for the propulsion of Candela's electric hydrofoils.
The Candela C-8 electric boat is propelled by the same 69 kWh battery pack and DC charging technology as the Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor. Assuming a cruising speed of 22 knots, Candela estimates a range of up to 57 nautical miles per charge. These figures are in line with what you'd expect from boats powered by internal combustion engines. The top-end speed range is also double or triple that of regular electric speedboats.
The Candela C-8, powered by Polestar batteries, is the first fully electric boat to reach destinations previously inaccessible due to the need for combustion engines. Gustav Hasselskog, Candela's CEO and creator, said, "the Candela C-8 driven by Polestar marks a significant milestone in maritime electrification."
The combination of cutting-edge technologies from Candela and Polestar allows for this impressive electrical performance while sailing. Candela C-8 flies on computer-controlled hydrofoils and is powered by an efficient direct drive pod motor called the Candela C-POD. This lifts the hull out of the water at high speeds and reduces the boat's energy needs by as much as 80% compared to traditional motor boats.
Polestar is providing the 69 kWh battery pack for the Polestar 2, as well as the DC rapid charging technology for the boat, and making its R&D resources available to help integrate the technology and software into the ship's application and the transition from land to sea.
Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, explains that by working with Candela on battery and vehicle technologies, they will be able to move closer to their ultimate aim of bringing about a world in which all forms of transportation are sustainable.
Delivering batteries and charging components to third parties is a first for Polestar as an electric car manufacturer and extends Polestar's efforts to promote sustainable electric transportation beyond the automotive sector.
The Boot trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, from January 21st to 29th, 2023, will feature a special exhibition of the Candela C-8.
