Sweden-based EV maker Polestar – jointly owned by Volvo and its parent company Geely – is to begin supplying batteries and charging systems to Swedish hydrofoil electric boat company, Candela.
Candela launched the world’s first electric hydrofoiling water taxi in June 2021, a 12-person boat that the company claims costs operators 85% less than running a traditional combustion engine vessel.
Hydrofoil boats skim above the water on a winglike strut or struts below the boat, lifting the boat above the water and creating a near-silent cruising journey which keeps the boat above the waves, leaving no wake or sound pollution to negatively impact the marine life and environment.
“I am fascinated by way Candela’s boats glide elegantly and efficient through, or better, over the water – amazing proof of the great aesthetics and experiences modern, sustainable technology can create,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.
“That Polestar will be part of future projects with Candela by supplying an essential part for the innovative propulsion of their boats, is awesome,” he said. “As a battery supplier to Candela, we can help drive the transition to cleaner oceans and lakes and electrify waterborne transport.”
Candela’s electric hydrofoil boats, including the Candela C-8 and P-8 Voyager, can travel at 30 knots (around 55km/h) and use 80% less energy than conventional boats of the same size thanks to the massive reduction of water friction.
In July, Candela announced that the Swedish capital of Stockholm would begin a nine-month trial of the P-12 shuttle beginning in 2023 in the hopes that these electric boats could replace the hundreds of thousands of leisure craft that ply the waters around the Swedish archipelago of 14 islands.
The two Swedish companies believe their partnership is a “watershed moment for electrification at sea” and will push electric boats into the mainstream.
“While electrification of cars has come a long way in the last few years, the marine sector has fallen behind,” said Gustav Hasselskog, CEO of Candela. “Marrying our efficient hydrofoil technology to high-capacity batteries from Polestar means we can speed up the mass market adoption of electric boats together.”
This also marks the first time that Polestar will supply battery and charging systems to a third party, marking an expansion of Polestar’s goal of becoming a leading premium EV manufacturer.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.