Electric Outboard Motors

Electric outboard motors have been around for a long time. Initially there were rudimentary designs that were suitable only for used for short-distance boating. They were introduced as an eco-friendly alternative to petrol driven small engines. Small petrol engines actually have a lot of toxic emissions, and we’re not talking about CO₂. Early electric outboards struggled to gain acceptance, with limited range and power. This was due to the due to underdeveloped state of battery technology back then. Over the decades, improvements in batteries and electric motors gradually gained more appeal. In recent years, environmental concerns have come to the fore in the use of waterways. And electric outboards are gainiong more and more attention. There have been major advancements in battery technologies, particularly with lithium-ion. And modern electric outboard designs are more efficient, reliable, powerful and popular than ever. The banning of sale of new two-stroke small engines in Australia has also moved things along. This has caused more and more people to seriously consider their options. And adoption of electric outboards for recreational and commercial use has now taken hold.

Petrol driven outboards feature thick and heavy cast alloy casements for the drive shaft. These are needed to protect their vertical drive shafts from potential damage. They also need cooling systems, often water driven, fuel management and carburetion, and oil. And they are noisy. And smelly too! Modern electric outboard designs are not constrained by the needs of traditional petrol driven models.

• Electric motors convert 80% of the input energy to power, and 20% to heat. With petrol motors it’s the other way around.
• Sure, they require batteries, which can be quite heavy when compared to external fuel tanks.
• But electricity is very cheap when compared to outboard fuel, and the conversion of energy to power is much better.
• Modern lithium batteries offer high energy density, extending range and reducing weight.
• And now LiFePO₄ batteries have superseded ternary Lithium-Ion cells, and they are much safer for marine use.
• Electric motors have few moving parts, and they are simple and easy (and inexpensive) to maintain and service.
• Simple modular designs make electric outboards versatile and scalable for various boat types.
• And compact size and low weight offer easy installation and portability. And that’s without compromising power.

Overall, electric outboard motors have a lot going for them. When you go electric, You will never go back to petrol!

Modern electric outboard motors feature sleek, efficient designs. These designs can be very different to traditional outboards. The design approach has been able to be revisited from the ground (or water) up. Unique features of modern electric outboard motors can include:

• Powerful, efficient, brushless motors for quiet, smooth operation and minimal maintenance.
• Advanced electronics, eg. digital displays and GPS systems, for real-time monitoring.
• Hydrodynamic housings that reduce drag, enhancing efficiency and speed.
• Submerged motor units, to provide natural water cooling, and remove the noise of the motors.
• Hermetically sealed motor units with no seals exposed to water, and no chance of water ingress.

Each of the features mentioned above will reflect in the price of the device. And that’s whether the feature is really needed by the owner or not. Moreover, it can be difficult for users to understand the features most relevant for them. It’s hard to know what are the best electric outboards for their needs. And so many people simply rely on electric outboard motor reviews. These reviews often point right back to the expensive brands. And so it becomes an endless cycle of opaqueness and confusion reinforcing one another. The features that are important to you will depend on your use case for the engine, such as:

• A motor to take you from the shore to your yacht, in flat water? Then a small unit might suffice.
• In the water for hours at a time? Then consider battery capacity vs power consumption.
• Have a need for speed? Then look for a high performance electric outboard.

At motorzoo, we try to solve problems for users by doing the research for customers. And we position ourselves in sourcing what is the best solution. What we have done is to source the best electric outboards we can find, and put our name on them. This means that our customers have the assurance of support from a responsible local supplier. And the backing of Australian consumer protection laws with an Australian warranty. Above all, we find what we think are the best value for money in electric outboard engines. Ones that will do the same job and perform as well as the expensive brands. If the motor meets our strict criteria, then we will put our badge on it. So users can have the confidence of an engine built for Australian marine conditions. And they get the assurance of an Australian warranty and spare parts availability.