Electrification News

French company to launch first electric boat motor this May

This May, French manufacturer FinX is planning to launch its first product – the Fin5, a new electric boat motor which uses a flexible membrane based on fish fins instead of a propeller, according to company representatives. The development comes as the business is aiming to collect around €3m (US$3.6m) from investors to launch the motor’s serial production.

Evoy rebrands and delivers

Norwegian electric marine motor manufacturer Evoy claims that its brand is now well-known by its customers, partners and investors, so the Evoy team needed to update the style and branding to match the technology improvements and new markets that are opening up. In the past three years, Evoy has grown, improving the technology of both its outboard and inboard electric systems and recently the company made its first customer delivery.

New Boat: Eelex 8000

Only a few years ago, electric cars were still turning every head on the road. Today, some of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world are gearing up for an all-electric future, including General Motors, which plans to only sell zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The marine industry is still in the very early stage of electrification, but a few companies are driving the green initiative forward. One of those pioneers is X Shore, a Swedish company dedicated to technological advancements and sustainable solutions.

Electric, zero emission tug underway in Vietnam

Damen Shipyards, Gorinchem, The Netherlands, is building the world’s first full electric harbor tug — RSD-E 2513 — for delivery in 2021. Last summer, a ceremony was held at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam to mark the keel-laying of the first all-electric 24.73mx13.13m (81'x43') RSD-E Tug 2513 for the Ports of Auckland in New Zealand.

BRP to introduce electric models for each product line by 2026

BRP announced its five-year plan where it will offer electric models in each of its product lines by the end of 2026. To achieve this, BRP plans to invest $300M over five years in product development, specialized equipment, infrastructure, production tooling and facilities.

New Hybrid Tour Boat Suffers Battery Fire Under Way

Firefighters in Vestfold, Norway have extinguished a battery fire aboard the battery-hybrid passenger vessel Brim. On Thursday, the vessel was under way from Sarpsborg to Sandefjord after finishing an educational event for children. During the transit, a battery bank caught fire, potentially due to overheating and thermal runaway, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. Only four crewmembers - and no passengers - were on board when the boat caught fire in the Oslofjord, according to the operator's spokesperson. No injuries were reported.

US start-up unveils new foiling electric powerboat at Palm Beach show

Navier, a Silicon Valley start-up, announced the launch of its first-ever model at the start of this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show which opened today. The Navier 27 is an all-electric hydrofoil performance-craft capable of a range exceeding 75Nm at a 20kt cruising speed. The craft is outfitted with a highly advanced autopilot with features we see in today’s self-driving land vehicles.

BRP unveils e-concept for PWCs and other products

A global producer of propulsion systems, boats, and powersports vehicles, including Sea-Doo personal watercraft, BRP today said it will be investing $300 million in product development, specialized equipment, infrastructure, production tooling and facilities as part of a five-year strategy to offer electric-powered products.

Electric foiling should dominate powerboats, says American Magic’s designer

Kermarec will be leading the hydrodynamics team at the Swedish Candela electric boat company in Stockholm. His main task will be to improve the efficiency of Candela’s future electric hydrofoil boats. Candela already says its electric hydrofoiling Candela Seven is the most efficient speedboat ever built. Cruising at 25 knots, its range is 50 nautical miles. But Kermarec has 29 years of experience designing boats for America’s Cup teams. Working for Oracle, Artemis and other teams all the way up to this year’s American Magic, he has contributed to today’s ultra-fast, foiling AC75 boats and should have a decided impact.

Torqeedo unveils new electric outboard

Torqeedo has announced it has added a lighter and more affordable electric outboard to its product line. The new Travel 603 is the latest addition to Torqeedo's line-up of clean, quiet portable electric outboards (video). The two-horsepower-equivalent, direct-drive, short shaft motor is the lightest in its power class, weighing just 15.5 kg (34 lbs.) complete, including battery.