Candela’s Electric boat obtain a record of autonomy
Swedish electric boat manufacturer Candela’s latest version of its C-8 foiling craft covered a remarkable 420 nautical miles – equivalent to 777 kilometers or 483 miles – within 24 hours in the Stockholm archipelago. The prior claimed record was 79 nautical miles achieved in 20 hours.
While conventional planing electric boats face challenges due to water friction, leading to shorter ranges, the C-8 uses hydrofoil technology—wings slung under the hull—to reduce energy usage by 80%. This results in a range that’s 2 to 3 times longer than that of traditional electric boats. Moreover, the C-8 can be DC-charged thanks to Candela’s partnership with electric car company Polestar, which supplies both batteries and charging for the C-8. Together, this makes extended journeys using battery power feasible for the first time.
The record run was enabled by Northvolt’s mobile battery storage system Voltpack, which was used to DC charge the C-8 during the record run. On the dock stood a 281 kWh Voltpack system, and a Plug DC charger, which enabled rapid charging of the C-8’s battery. The average speed during the 24-hour run was 17 knots, even when accounting for charging breaks. The route comprised a loop between Stockholm and the island of Tynningö, with DC charging after each lap.
