Swedish electric car manufacturer, Polestar, and electric boat builder, Candela, have recently joined forces to unveil their latest collaboration, the Candela C-8 Polestar edition. This innovative project combines Polestar’s expertise in luxury electric vehicle design with Candela’s cutting-edge hydrofoil technology, resulting in a remarkable integration of sustainable performance in the marine industry.
The design of the Candela C-8 Polestar edition boasts several distinctive features. Its exterior showcases a stylish solid light grey color, while the seat upholstery has been specially crafted for this edition. Additionally, the hydrofoils, which are already synonymous with Candela’s boats, are painted in a striking Swedish gold hue. These hydrofoils utilize computer guidance to elevate the hull above the water at high speeds, leading to an impressive reduction in energy consumption of up to 80% compared to traditional motorboats, according to Candela.
Maximilian Missoni, the Head of Design at Polestar, expressed his enthusiasm for Candela’s hydrofoil technology, describing it as a “paradigm shift for sustainable performance in the marine industry.” He even drew a parallel between the experience of driving a Candela boat and that of driving an electric car for the first time, highlighting the game-changing nature of this collaboration.
This collaboration between Polestar and Candela extends beyond the design aspect. In January, Polestar agreed to supply batteries and charging technology to power Candela’s electric hydrofoil boat, the Candela C-8. Furthermore, Polestar committed to leveraging its research and development capabilities to integrate the technology and software into the boat’s application, seamlessly transitioning it from land to sea.
In the Candela C-8 Polestar edition, the collaboration has evolved to incorporate Polestar’s design and materials. The boat boasts a sleek and uniform look, thanks to its solid grey exterior and lighter grey tones in the interior. To ensure a cohesive design, marine-certified textiles have been used throughout the vessel, including for the seats, cushions, sunbeds, wall panels, and roof panels.
Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela, emphasized the importance of aesthetic excellence as a driving force towards a sustainable future. He expressed his satisfaction with the Candela C-8 Polestar edition and the partnership with the Polestar team, recognizing the intrinsic value of merging aesthetics and sustainability.
Starting from 2023, all Candela C-8 boats will be equipped with the 69-kWh battery and charging hardware from the standard-range Polestar 2, offering a range of up to 57 nautical miles on a single charge at a cruising speed of 22 knots. The boat utilizes a 75 kW electric direct-drive pod motor called the Candela C-POD.
The Candela C-8 Polestar edition can be purchased through the Polestar Additionals webshop or Candela sales channels, with prices starting from €400,000 ($450,000). Production of the boats will take place at Candela’s factory in Stockholm, Sweden, with deliveries expected to commence in June 2024.
This collaboration is part of Polestar’s ongoing efforts to extend its partnerships beyond electric cars. Previous collaborations have included the Cake Makka electric commuter moped, the Allebike mountain bike, and the electric transporter concept Re:Move. Through these ventures, Polestar continues to explore innovative ways to contribute to a sustainable future beyond the automotive industry.
