Mercury debuts their new Avator 7.5e , the company ' s first foray into fully electric power .
X Shore is a Swedish company making waves in the electric boatbuilding sphere .
quires significantly more energy to propel a boat through the water than on-land transportation .
“ There are also unique challenges centered around the actual use phase of boats ,” he continues . “ Boats on average operate between 35 to 48 hours per year . Careful consideration of the specific boat application , duty cycle , and annual hours of operation need to be understood before determining an appropriate propulsion system .”
Yet boatbuilders and other manufacturers are already hard at work tackling these potential problems – or , as some see it , areas of opportunity . “ Our boats are fully silent ,” Keisu says . “ Which benefits marine wildlife . On the CO2 side , for a boat this size with an ICE motor , it will emit four times as much as a normal car . There is so much that isn ’ t great [ for sustainability ] in this industry , but it ’ s not that difficult to fix . You need to design a boat so it can be electric , and you need to think about what material you ’ re using . For example , we use cork instead of teak and use recycled plastic where it ’ s possible . We don ’ t just want people to go electric , we want people to think about boating holistically from a sustainable perspective .”
Besides range anxiety , which many manufacturers are assuaging with increased benchmarks and rigorous testing , another concern is the batteries themselves . Electric boats are built around the batteries ,” Keisu explains , “ and batteries are heavy . It ’ s very in terms of weight distribution , center of gravity , and hull design to accommodate a battery compared to just a fuel tank .”
“ From a safety perspective ,” she continues , “ it is important to adhere to all certifications . You should not be putting a boat on the water
X Shore ' s Stockholm-based manufacturing center was built from the ground up with sustainability as a priority . with a used EV car battery . What happens if it sinks ? We ’ ve actually submerged our boats to see what happens to the battery when it comes into contact with water , salt water even . So we did that , pulled them up and rinsed them with fresh water , then left them to dry out and after that , they worked . All systems work . We work to make sure that it ’ s safe in all respects . It ’ s super important that everyone acknowledges this and prioritizes safety .”
Ready , set , go
There are many things that must be taken into account when bringing electric to the consumer market . However , all of these concerns are not hindering the progress of electrification . “ We will see more and more brands coming into electric , both new brands and established manufacturers offering electric options . I think you will see increased volume in products and eventually , prices will come down ,” Keisu asserts . “ In the next few years , we will see huge growth .”
In the end , it will take the work of the entire industry to push electric into common use , and it will take a sustained ( no pun intended ) effort to create a sustainable future . “ There are no one-size-fits-all technical solutions for the wide variety of recreational boats and use cases ,” says Hugelmeyer . “ The marine industry will rely on multiple propulsion technologies and careful management of production methods , materials selection , and other sustainability efforts to further reduce CO2 emissions . Sharing data from our unique marine industry applications , portfolio of technology offerings , and sustainability efforts are critical when communicating with policy makers and consumers . Together as an industry , we can all make a difference .”
www . boatingindustry . com may 2023
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