Electric outboard powertrain

A powertrain system is a vehicle’s infrastructure that converts energy into movement. In an electric boat, that infrastructure starts at the battery pack, continues with an inverter, goes to the motor and ends with the propeller. Electric powertrains have less moving parts than powertrains for boats with an internal combustion engine and, as a result, tend to break less and require less complex servicing.

The efficiency of a powertrain system determines the range of a boat on a single battery charge and the speed at which the boat operates. We find existing electric powertrain systems unsatisfactory because of their insufficient yields and limited power range. In 2015, we decided to research technology to take advantage of this vacuum and develop an in-house system, relying on existing third-party components where possible. We noted the need for innovation in the following areas:

optimizing the electric motor to improve efficiency and range by customizing the power to the motor from different battery suppliers;

developing optimization software that reads and calibrates the controller to suit the current use of the outboard electric powertrain system

using appropriate components, including the battery;

customizing gears and propellers to a boat’s specifications. We have recorded the efficiency of our principal competitor’s electric powertrain system as 54%, meaning that only 54% of the power leaving the battery pack reached the propeller, although their technology may have improved since that recording. Our proprietary union and direct transmission system allow our prototype powertrains to have an efficiency of 96% which provides a competitive advantage over current electric outboard motors.