Polestar 2

Make
Polestar
Segment
Sedan

Boats inspired by cars are nothing new, but this Swedish Candela C-8 is rather unique because it was built in partnership with electric automaker Polestar. While most car-themed boats have some kind of V8 engine, this hydrofoil is all-electric. The Candela C-8 "powered by Polestar" borrows the 69 kWh battery pack from the Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor. In the Polestar 2, the single electric motor produces 231 horsepower going out to the front wheels with a 270-mile range. Things are a bit different in the boat, which can travel 57 nautical miles at speeds of up to 22 knots.

"With batteries from Polestar, the Candela C-8 becomes the first electric vessel that can travel to destinations that were previously only reachable by combustion engine boats. The Candela C-8 powered by Polestar marks a significant breakthrough for electrification at sea," says Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela.

Candela and Polestar are perfect partners, which is why the two Swedish brands went into business together back in August 2022.

The C-8 uses a more efficient direct drive pod motor called the Candela C-POD, which uses computer-guided hydrofoils to lift the hull above the water at high speeds and reduce drag. This improves both range and helps the boat travel faster in the water. Candela says the hydrofoil design improves energy consumption by 80% compared to traditional motorboats.

Not only does the C-8 borrow a battery and electric motor from Polestar, but it also uses the automaker's DC fast-charging technology. This means the boat should be able to charge at 150 kW, assuming you have access to a DC charger. Fast chargers are not common at docks, but boats have plenty of downtime to charge on a Level 1 or L2 plug.

Along with the charging technology, Candela and Polestar will share other technologies that might be useful in a nautical application. "Sharing know-how on batteries and vehicle engineering with Candela will help reach our shared goal of transitioning to a future where all forms of transport are sustainable," says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.