Electrification News
New crowdfunding campaign for UK electric boat company Pixii
UK electric boat company Pixii has launched a crowdfunding equity campaign on the Seedrs platform with a goal of £350,000 (≈ $US8M). As of this writing the campaign has already reached 87% of that goal, with 30 days remaining until the May 31 finish. Equity crowdfunding campaigns are a fairly recent development and mean that participants purchase shares and ownership in the company, rather than just getting a deal on the launch of the product or other incentive.
Volvo Penta Launches First of a Kind, Hybrid-Electric Vessel
Volvo Penta, Marell Boats, and Arctic tourism operator Hurtigruten Svalbard have launched a new ground-breaking Volvo Penta-powered hybrid-electric vessel, the technology for which could make big waves in the leisure sector Volvo Penta, Marell Boats, and Arctic tourism operator Hurtigruten Svalbard have launched what is being billed as a ground-breaking Volvo Penta-powered hybrid-electric vessel. Designed for exploration in the heart of the Arctic, the vessel is now in operation for sightseeing tours in Svalbard during the high season (May-October).
Austrian Startup, Volta Future, unveils electric outboard
This year’s , Austrian company Volta Future GmbH will unveil an e-outboard offering 222kW (300hp) continuous power and 790Nm. The next-gen e-outboard is called iWOP, which stands for invisible waterline outboard power-drive. The housing of the iWOP is much more compact than classic outboard housings and contains two specially developed, high-performance electric motors together with a directly cooled double inverter. Unlike all other outboards on the market, the iWOP can be mounted not only on boats with transom (outboard) but also on boats with (normally) inboards instead of the stern drive.
Candela enters French market
Swedish tech firm forms exclusive partnership with recreational boat reseller. The hydrofoiling Candela C-8 electric daycruiser will have its French debut at Cannes. Candela, the Swedish tech firm behind the foiling Candela C-8 electric daycruiser, has entered the French market through an exclusive partnership with recreational boat reseller, Sud Plaisance. The Candela C-8 will make its French debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.
Italian start-up to begin production of “world’s first” submersible hydrofoil
The company claims it’s the first vessel of its kind. Italian startup iSpace2o, backed by an Invitalia loan, has announced it’s starting fabrication on the first hull for its Deepseaker DS1 submersible hydrofoil. The machine will rise out of the water to hydrofoil at speeds up to 23kt (26mph) or dive as deep as 50m (164ft) underwater.
Torqeedo, Proton Motor Agree to Fuel Cell Venture
Torqeedo is collaborating with Proton Motor Fuel Cell to integrate hydrogen fuel cell charging into Torqeedo’s electric propulsion systems. The German companies will work together on a marine hydrogen hybrid building kit integrating Torqeedo’s Deep Blue battery-electric drive systems and Proton Motor’s fuel cell technology, Torqeedo said in a statement. The project received funding from the Bavarian government for 2021 through 2024.
Freedom Boat Clubs to be “electrification innovation centres” for the industry
The company’s on-water rental locations are valuable research labs, Brunswick president of business acceleration tells IBI. Brunswick’s Brenna Preisser: “We see Freedom as playing a really important part in consumer adoption of electrification. When Brunswick Corporation purchased the shared access operations of Freedom Boat Club in 2019, the company made no secret that the on-water rental locations would serve as a valuable product testing and consumer marketing research laboratory, and as the industry accelerates toward electrification, company leaders see additional opportunities in that realm.
Delphia 11 first look: Beneteau Group’s vision of the future of electric boats
Delphia has launched its first all electric model, the Delphia 11, and announced that it will only build electric boats by 2024. The Polish brand was bought by Beneteau Group in 2018 and is the first in the French giant’s stable to building 100% electric boats – by the middle of the decade it will make no ICE (internal combustion engine) models at all.
How boats are catching up to cars in the race to reduce emissions
The race to reduce carbon emissions with electric vehicles is moving to the water! The next wave of electric transportation can be found in boats, whether they’re catching fish out on the lake or hauling cargo around the world. NBC’s Kerry Sanders reports in this week’s Sunday Spotlight.
