20HP TILLER-STEERED ELECTRIC OUTBOARD

A German leader in electric outboard propulsion has used the recent METSTrade show to launch its new 20hp (equivalent) tiller steered outboard motor.

While many of the customers for this motor will be firmly in the marine leisure bracket, the zero emission and high thrust nature of the motor will also appeal to small harbour launch operators.

Torqeedo’s Cruise motors have a built-in GPS, with on-board computer and display, showing information such as speed and input power, state of charge and remaining range, even with third-party batteries. They have a robust, wear-resistant design thanks to features such as a housing that is waterproof to IP67, pylons made from aluminium and a reinforced fin.

This new flagship model in the Cruise series delivers 12kW of peak output and a continuous output of 10 kW. Its power supply requires at least two (Torqeedo Power 48-5000) or four lithium batteries (Torqeedo Power 24-3500)

Torqeedo will celebrate its 15th year of technology innovations and deliver its 100,000th electric drive for the worldwide marine industry in the coming year.

“While we’re pleased to achieve these important milestones, Torqeedo has never been only about success as a company,” said co-founder and CEO Dr. Christoph Ballin. “Torqeedo is building the future of how people move on the water. We are driven by a vision of creating technological solutions the world has never seen to deliver a climate-neutral and more sustainable boating experience.”

The company was founded in 2005 to bring an integrated systems approach and industrial R&D and engineering to marine electric propulsion. Today, the electric mobility pioneer, with more than 200 employees, operates in over 100 countries and works with more than 2,000 sales, service and boatbuilder partners. The company’s products have been recognized with more than 20 major international awards for innovation.

Torqeedo offers a broad product line of outboards, inboards and saildrives ranging from 0.5 to 100 kW with high-capacity lithium batteries and power-management systems. Functional and innovative accessories range from on-board solar charging to smartphone applications.

Ballin noted that Torqeedo reinvests over 12 percent of its turnover on R&D every year -- a level that is comparable to Silicon Valley technology companies -- and has over 130 international and multinational patents.

“Our business strategy has been to continually push the envelope and bring state-of-the-art solutions to the marine market,” he said.