The start of a new year is the perfect time for a fresh approach—not just to life, but to boating. Whether you’re tired of unreliable petrol engines or motivated by a desire to protect the environment, there’s never been a better time to upgrade to an electric outboard motor.
With instant push-button starts, incredible speed, low maintenance, and zero emissions, electric outboards offer a smarter, cleaner, and more enjoyable boating experience.
Consider how much you spend on petrol each year. For most boat owners, it’s a substantial portion of boating costs. By switching to an electric boat engine now, you essentially pay nothing for fuel. Over the years, that really adds up. And you have no fuel spills, no maintenance headaches.
Why continue burning money on petrol when you could invest in a reliable, environmentally friendly engine that will save you money long-term? It’s time to start the new year with smarter boating choices.
One of the biggest perks of switching to electric is instant push-button starts. No more struggling with pull-start cords, choke, or finicky carburettors. With an electric fishing boat motor you’re ready to go the moment you hit the ramp.
Electric outboards also provide smooth, reliable acceleration and impressive speed. Models up to the equivalent of a 60HP electric outboard
can match or outperform traditional petrol engines, whether you’re towing, fishing, or cruising on the open water.
Beyond performance, electric outboards are a more responsible choice for the environment. Zero emissions, reduced fuel spills, and quieter operation protect waterways and marine life, making every boating trip cleaner and more sustainable.
Safety is another key advantage. Unlike combustion engines, electric outboards don’t rely on flammable fuel, reducing fire and explosion risks. For families, commercial operators, and recreational boaters alike, this makes electric propulsion a far safer option.
Electric outboards have fewer moving parts than petrol engines, resulting in less maintenance, fewer repairs, and greater reliability. No oil changes, no winter storage headaches, no worries about engine failure.
They’re also portable and convenient. You can store and transport your customisable electric outboard without worrying about keeping it upright or spilling fuel. Whether you’re camping, towing, or simply stowing it overnight, it’s hassle-free.
Making the switch to electric now isn’t just a purchase—it’s an investment. By the end of the year, the money you would have spent on petrol will have covered the cost of your new outboard. Every day after that? Practically free boating, without sacrificing performance, convenience, or safety.
It’s a simple equation: switch now, save money, enjoy better boating, and reduce your environmental impact.
A new year deserves a new experience. With an electric outboard motor you get:
Start the new year with smarter, cleaner, and more enjoyable boating. Don’t waste another year of petrol—make the switch to electric today.
Despite the rise of electric vehicles on roads, many boaters still question whether electric outboard motors are up to the task. There’s a perception that electric engines are “new” or “experimental,” while petrol outboards have decades of proven use. The reality, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. Today’s electric outboards, especially from EClass Outboards are safer, more reliable, and more convenient than combustion engines—especially when it comes to boating safety, reliability, and ease of use.
Picture this: a busy marina, a long line of boats waiting for the ramp, and there you are… tugging and tugging at your petrol outboard, trying to coax it into starting. Meanwhile, everyone else has launched their boats and is already on the water.
You don’t want to be that guy. With an electric outboard motor that scenario becomes a thing of the past. Modern electric outboards start every time with the click of a button, no fuss, no choke, no ripcord, no wasted time. You simply push, and go. First-try reliability isn’t just convenient—it’s a game-changer for weekend boating, fishing trips, or family outings.
Petrol outboards may feel familiar, but they come with hidden risks. Combustion engines rely on flammable fuel, high pressure, and heat to operate. They’re far more volatile than their electric counterparts. Petrol leaks, sparks, or engine backfires can lead to fires or even explosions, particularly in hot weather or poorly ventilated storage.
Electric motors, on the other hand, use sealed lithium-ion batteries and have no open flames, no petrol fumes, and no volatile engine parts. Their onboard battery management systems take over and shut it down if anything is wrong, so they drastically reduce the risk of onboard fires. Families, weekend boaters, and commercial operators alike benefit from this safer design. If safety is your priority, an electric fishing boat motor is the smarter, more secure choice.
Another major misconception about electric outboards is that they “might fail” or “run out of power.” In fact, EClass electric outboards are engineered with reliability at the forefront. Fewer moving parts than combustion engines means less maintenance, fewer breakdowns, and longer-lasting performance.
No oil changes, no carburettor issues, no winter storage problems. Just consistent, predictable performance every time you push the start button. This reliability is especially important when boating offshore, towing boats, or spending extended hours on the water.
While some focus only on performance, it’s worth remembering that electric outboards are also environmentally responsible. Zero emissions, no fuel spills, and minimal noise all contribute to cleaner waterways and healthier fish habitats. For anglers, that means less noise to spook fish and a cleaner, safer environment to enjoy year after year.
For families, this translates to safer boating experiences without harmful fumes. Electric motors are naturally quieter, making your trip on the water more relaxing and creating a safer environment for everyone onboard.
Imagine loading your boat for a weekend camping or fishing trip. Petrol engines require careful positioning; they must stay upright to avoid spilling fuel. In contrast, an electric boat engine can be lifted, stored, and transported without worrying about leaks or tipping.
This convenience extends to battery management as well. EClass lithium-ion batteries are easy to charge, lightweight, and feature LCD displays for monitoring usage, providing you with full confidence in your available power.
Whether you’re a weekend angler or a commercial operator, this simplicity saves time, stress, and effort.
Many boaters still assume that electric motors are “underpowered” compared to petrol engines. Modern electric outboards, including 40HP electric outboards, rival or exceed the performance of their petrol equivalents. They deliver smooth, reliable acceleration and can handle both ocean and inland conditions, proving that switching to electric doesn’t mean compromising performance.
Additionally, EClass outboards are customisable to suit different boating needs—from fishing tinnies to larger recreational vessels—ensuring you have the right power, torque, and range for every trip.
Electric outboards are not experimental—they are the future of safe, reliable, and convenient boating. By eliminating fuel volatility, reducing maintenance, and offering simple push-button starts, they solve many of the problems traditional petrol outboards present.
Don’t be the person holding up the ramp at the marina. Switch to an EClass electric outboard today and enjoy:
For boaters who value safety, reliability, and peace of mind, the choice is clear. Make the switch to electric, and you’ll wonder why you ever relied on petrol.
For many Australians, fishing is more than a pastime—it’s a way of life. Whether you’re casting off from the coast or enjoying a peaceful day on an inland river, the experience is about connection: to the water, the outdoors, and the company you keep. Many fishers know this and have adopted electric trolling motors in a big way!! However, they are still tied to their traditional petrol-powered outboards to reach their favourite fishing spot - and that can break the serenity with their noise, fumes, and constant upkeep.
That’s where electric outboard motors from EClass Outboards change the game. They’re quiet, clean, and easy to use. They have greater torque than comparable fuel outboards and yet behave like an electric trolling motor when you get to the spot. You don’t need two motors - giving anglers an edge on the water while keeping the experience eco-friendly and family-safe.
When you’re fishing, noise matters. Traditional petrol motors disturb marine life, scare away fish, and make it harder to approach quiet spots. By contrast, an electric fishing boat motor operates almost silently.
This reduction in noise pollution means you can glide smoothly into your favourite fishing grounds without spooking the catch. It also makes for a more relaxing day out—you’ll hear the water, the birds, and the reel, not the drone of an engine.
For those who prize stealth and calm, switching to a quiet outboard motor isn’t just a lifestyle upgrade—it’s a tactical advantage.
And if your passion is Bass or other restricted-only fishing dams, replacement electric for petrol motors is a game changer, you will leave other competitors with trolling motors in your wake.
Fishing and conservation go hand in hand. No one wants to cast a line in polluted waters or smell fuel on their hands. Unlike petrol outboards, electric motors produce zero emissions and eliminate the risk of oil or fuel spills.
With zero-emission boat motors you can fish with confidence knowing you’re leaving the water as clean as you found it. Families especially appreciate the fact that electric motors create no exhaust fumes—so no more headaches from petrol smells while you’re out on the water with kids.
It’s a perfect example of eco-friendly marine propulsion: a better boating experience that protects the environments we all depend on for fishing.
Fishing should be about the catch, not the engine. One of the biggest benefits of electric boat engines is their simplicity. With push-button start, no servicing, and far fewer moving parts than a petrol motor, they’re designed to be low-maintenance boat motors.
This means no more oil changes, carburettor cleaning, or fiddling with pull-starts. Instead, you’ll enjoy first-time reliability every trip. That reliability extends to battery-powered boat motors, where an LCD display shows charge levels and run time, so you’ll always know how long you can stay out on the water.
For anglers who fish with kids or friends, safety is a top priority. Electric outboards from EClass can feature auto-return throttles, meaning the motor cuts power when you let go—safer than traditional lanyard kill-switches.
They’re also easier to transport and store. Because they don’t require fuel and don’t need to stay upright, you can pop your customisable electric outboard into the car at the end of the day, making camping or towing much more convenient.
Running costs are another big win. With an electric outboard, you’re essentially buying years of “fuel” upfront in the form of a high-quality lithium-ion battery. Over time, that makes electric propulsion one of the most cost-effective marine propulsion choices available.
When compared to petrol outboards, electric outboards consistently show long-term savings in fuel and servicing costs, alongside significant benefits for the environment.
EClass Outboards aren’t imports—they’re designed and manufactured here in Australia, built tough for both ocean and inland electric motor use. Whether you’re launching in saltwater estuaries, freshwater lakes, or coastal bays, there’s a model to suit—from small battery-powered boat motors for tinnies to high-performance systems for larger fishing setups.
And with power ranges up to the equivalent of a 60HP electric outboard you’re not sacrificing performance when you switch to clean marine technology.
The future of fishing is quieter, cleaner, and easier. By choosing an electric outboard motor today, you’ll not only enjoy a better fishing experience but also help preserve waterways for future generations.This summer, make the switch to a sustainable boating solution and discover why anglers across Australia are trading noisy, high-maintenance petrol engines for the peace and performance of electric.
Why don’t people go electric?
This is a question that we, as EClass Outboards, have pondered at length. When it comes to boating, electric outboards are better than their traditional ICE counterparts in almost every way. We know that it’s a better boating experience, better for the environment, cost-effective, requires less maintenance, and is safer. So why don’t people go electric?
It is a newer technology, and some people aren’t brave enough to be pioneers. When we hear people fret about battery life, considering that all you’re doing is swapping a fuel gauge for a battery gauge, we know what’s up. People are looking for an excuse not to make the switch because what they are scared of is the change. And it’s understandable, not everyone is meant to be leading the pack.
Some people like the noise. Some people enjoy spending half the day maintaining the motor and ensuring it runs smoothly. Not us. We love the peace of being on the water, going as fast as you want with barely a sound. And we’d rather spend that maintenance time on the water. But if you’re a petrol head who wants the roar of the motor and the petrol fumes in your nose, we respect it even if we don’t feel the same.
Sadly, not everyone cares about the waters they boat on. This one was hard for us to understand. If you love boating and fishing, surely you want to keep the waters clean and minimise noise pollution? Alas, we were wrong. Some people are here for the boating, but don’t respect the water and the environment.
The short answer is yes.
The medium answer is that there’s an initial investment that pays itself off quickly.
So let’s do the long answer and explain.
When you first invest in going electric, such as one of our RePower kits, it is an investment. There are upfront costs, and a significant portion of that is the battery.
BUT…
Once you’ve made the switch to electric and invested that little bit of money, you are no longer paying for petrol. With fuel prices continuing to rise, this means your savings could be substantial. If you’re a regular boater spending hundreds of dollars on fuel and switch to recharging for a few cents or maybe a couple of dollars, you'll save money hand over fist. Even if you’re not a regular boater, you’ll still benefit over time, and since you don’t need to do maintenance to the same level, your engine is always ready to go.
So what happens if you don’t have the upfront money to invest? Great question. We have green loans available so that you can just pay off the cost of your upgraded electric outboard at the same rate you’d be paying for petrol anyway. So with very little fuss and muss, you could become an electric boater and do better by the planet, but also yourself.
If you keep using your electric outboard over time, your boating experience becomes cheaper than your coffee habit. So, consider making the switch now so that you can save long term.
Contact Us to get information specific to your needs.
A lot of people are under the impression that if you make the switch to electric, you have to give up the power of your current outboard and settle for less. Well, we are here to dispel that myth once and for all.
We offer models that are comparable to anything in the 8- to 60-horsepower range. So, if your current outboard falls within that range, we could repower it to match your current power. Your outboard would then have instant take-off, require less maintenance, and, over time, save you significant money.
Yeah, we know. Every single time we tell the internet we might be electric, but we're powerful, and we get the same response. We don't believe you.
Well, physics doesn’t lie. An ICE (internal combustion engine) doesn't get into gear until around 900-1000 rpm (revolutions per minute) and doesn’t develop its full horsepower until 5,000-6,000 rpm. That's a usable range of 4,000 rpm. However, unless you are flat out, you won’t be at 5,600 rpm. So your 40HP is acting like the power of a 20HP or 30HP most of the time. Electric marine motors have instant torque and a flat torque curve, so it doesn't matter whether you are at 2 rpm or 4,000 rpm —you have full power.
Surf Lifesaving boats save lives. That means they have to be powerful and fast and reliable in extreme conditions- or the swimmer dies. They can’t afford to make a mistake. So our EClass Electric outboard had a 2-stroke face-off to settle this question. Flying colours were the outcome of the trial and faster off the mark than the 2-stroke over 100m. If you have a race boat we can adjust up to 12000rpm - so try to beat that!
So get in contact with us.
Distribution Advantages of Electric RePower kits.
• Pathway for thousands of marine mechanics worldwide to transition to electric with an ongoing maintenance income stream
• Use of widely available destination country casing and other components including propellers, gearbox etc.
Consumer Advantages of Electric RePower kits
• Consumer maintains a relationship with the current marine mechanic.
• Significant reduction in running costs compared to fuel.
• Battery agnostic as battery technology improves.
• Retrofitting into existing engine casing reduces upfront cost.
Explain in non-technical terms how your product or service is at the forefront of innovation and how did you come up with this innovation?
Australia’s only electric outboard R&D and commercialisation company EClass has retrofitted and built retail electric outboards since 2020, with over 12 years of R&D experience. For impact we considered our best contribution to scalability. Competitors either produce fully proprietary outboards or fit limited types of conventional casings - to scale would require proprietary factories and high retail prices, out of the reach of modest buyers or developing countries. Knowing there were thousands of marine mechanics available worldwide to retrofit. We turned our attention to:
o Unique ability to retrofit a variety of branded 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine casings (8hp to 60hp) with new electric motors creating a recycling economy that reduces waste and cost.
o Optimized powertrain and propeller selection for each Brand casing
o Ongoing compatibility with existing propellers, accessories, prop guards and forward controls, tilt and trim
o Engineered, documented and produced a variety of proprietary parts to retrofit to a wide variety of existing casings. Safety and retrofit training, mechanics assessment, maintenance manuals and other materials developed.
How has your product been introduced to the global market and how has it been accepted?
• Online marketing presence and have shown with AIMEX at SCRIBS. We have been approached by international boat builders, solar power/battery suppliers/marine mechanics and International Development/Aid Organisations who understand the potential.
• Two successful projects with RePowerKits, Senegal (see video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVXQMhp8JXo and a project for Sea Scouts in Australia. Phase 2 in Senegal underway and discussions with Pacific, Uganda, Portugal and UK
Was there a gap in the market that you filled with this innovation?
We are the only company in the world offering electric RePOWER kits for outboards.
• Millions of polluting two stroke motors available for conversion.
• No integrated electric product available for marine mechanics to convert.
• Global electric boat market - $5.0 billion in 2021
• Projected to $16.6 billion by 2031
• Growing at a CAGR of 12.9%
Has the culture within your business supported this innovation and how important is innovation to the success of your business?
EClass is an R&D company with pilot sales. Innovation is our USP.
• Continuing to develop kits.
• Electric jet ski kit and electric turbo jet leg in prototype
• A trawler hybrid project
• we have worked with jetboats, hydroplaning boats, survey boats and other custom projects.
If you are a marine mechanic interested in retrofitting with our kits or have a project for a custom made electric boat motor contact us.
Proud to be a Finalist in this year's innovation awards. Held by Industry Association AIMEX this award is seeking the most innovative marine products with the greatest export potential.
We entered our Electric RePower Kits. See what you think of our application below?
EClass has designed and offers the World’s first plug-and-play electric RePower Outboard Kits for conventional ICE outboard casings. With the following advantages for the scaling and adoption of electric powertrains.
• Reuse of expensive and carbon-rich components such as casings
• Use of off-the-shelf powertrain components
• Simple assembly of kits by medium to low-skilled labour
• Ability to scale more quickly with licensed manufacturing partnerships than proprietary electric competitors with entirely proprietary product/factory setup
• Pathway for thousands of marine mechanics worldwide to transition to electric with an ongoing maintenance income stream
• Use of widely available destination country casing and other components including propellers, gearbox etc.
• Consumer maintains a relationship with the current marine mechanic.
• Significant reduction in running costs compared to fuel.
• Battery agnostic as battery technology improves.
• Retrofitting into existing engine casing reduces upfront cost.
Australia’s only electric outboard R&D and commercialisation company EClass has retrofitted and built retail electric outboards since 2020, with over 12 years of R&D experience. For impact we considered our best contribution to scalability. Competitors either produce fully proprietary outboards or fit limited types of conventional casings - to scale would require proprietary factories and high retail prices, out of the reach of modest buyers or developing countries. Knowing there were thousands of marine mechanics available worldwide to retrofit. We turned our attention to:
o Unique ability to retrofit a variety of branded 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine casings (8hp to 60hp) with new electric motors creating a recycling economy that reduces waste and cost.
o Optimized powertrain and propeller selection for each Brand casing
o Ongoing compatibility with existing propellers, accessories, prop guards and forward controls, tilt and trim
o Engineered, documented and produced a variety of proprietary parts to retrofit to a wide variety of existing casings. Safety and retrofit training, mechanics assessment, maintenance manuals and other materials developed.
• Online marketing presence and have shown with AIMEX at SCRIBS. We have been approached by international boat builders, solar power/battery suppliers/marine mechanics and International Development/Aid Organisations who understand the potential.
• Two successful projects with RePowerKits, Senegal (see video) and a project for Sea Scouts in Australia. Phase 2 in Senegal is underway and discussions with the Pacific, Uganda, Portugal and UK.
We are the only company in the world offering electric RePOWER kits for outboards.
• Millions of polluting two-stroke motors available for conversion.
• No integrated electric product available for marine mechanics to convert.
• Global electric boat market - $5.0 billion in 2021
• Projected to $16.6 billion by 2031
• Growing at a CAGR of 12.9%
EClass is an R&D company with pilot sales. Innovation is our USP.
• Continuing to develop kits.
• Electric jet ski kit and electric turbo jet leg in prototype
• A trawler hybrid project
• we have worked with jetboats, hydroplaning boats, survey boats and other custom projects.
| We have just produced our first prototype of our electric Turbo Jet Outboard. This is Australia's first electric Turbo Jet Outboard. Turbo Jets or Jet Drives are invaluable for those wanting safe use where there will be swimmers in the water nearby - rescue, diving, fishing are some of the uses. And you are doing away with your propeller, so you minimize net or weed issues and allow you to go into shallower water than with a conventional propeller boat. The issue is that until now the solution has been to use a propeller guard, which is heavy and impacts the performance of the boat. Ron our innovator, who has a 40-year Surf Lifesaving Australia Service Medal says it is; "Like towing a milk crate behind you". The problem with earlier Jet drives and Turbo Jets is that in a petrol engine, the noise of them can be deafening. This is now solved by the super quiet electric motor with no exhaust. And the performance is amazing. So now you can get all the benefits of a turbojet drive without the downsides. This Eclass Electric Turbo Jet Drive Outboard will be available between 6kW and 18kW of propulsive power. We are starting sea trials soon so watch our YouTube Channel and socials for updates. Or if you are interested to be on the waitlist for this product email us to talk further. |
| Check it out! Go to our website and learn more. Marine Trade and Chandlery supply partnerships on request. See our Turbo Jet electric! |
The gorgeous 1962 Riva Tritone pictured above - which is the classic Mediterranean power boat (James Bond where are you?) has had an electric motor conversion thanks to The Lanéva electric boat company of Monaco joining with Riva restoration expert Bellini Nautica of Italy to replace internal combustion engines in vintage Riva boats with fully electric powertrains.
At Eclass Outboards we've done a vintage electric conversion ourselves. We believe our 1985 Pride Cheetah converted to electric power was the first all-electric speedboat in Australia.
You can see her running here. With a 20kW electric outboard
In the case of the 1962 Riva Tritone it originally had twin 177 HP V8 engines, replaced by Lanéva’s all-electric powertrain with 300 kW of power and battery capacity of 130kWh. This first project became the cornerstone of their electrification service.
To date Eclass Outboards have concentrated on conversions both inboard and outboards up to 40kW as the battery limitations, charging requirements and voltage requirements of higher kW make over 40kW an expensive and specialized undertaking.
However, up to 40kW we can comfortably run at 96v DC (ultra-low voltage and under safe let go) and batteries do not have to be specially cooled or need an expensive charging system.
Eclass has another advantage in the Vintage electric conversion space.
Because we retrofit into existing casings - and sell DIY electric repower kits for a wide range of outboard casings - you can often keep the look of your existing period-appropriate casings. All that changes is happening under the cowling and replacing fuel tanks with batteries.
And being an Australian marine electric manufacturing company we have electric outboards, electric inboards built here in Australia
If you have a vintage boat that needs a custom electric motor click through HERE to contact us
Credit for Image: PlugBoats.com
One of the first questions we get asked is how long does the electric outboard motor run for?
This isn't really a question about the electric outboard motor - which can run all day. It is really a question about the boat's design, how fast do you want the boat to go – and of course how much energy you are carrying in batteries - it's no more complex than deciding the capacity of your fuel tank.
At Eclass Outboards we use a guide of 1kWh per kW of engine power to give one hour at wide open throttle (WOT) or two to three hours at mixed speeds.
One hour at WOT is plenty for the typical electric boat outing. Especially as research has shown that most leisure boats spend around 40% of their time on the water at idle – which with electric outboard motors means no amps are drawn during idle.
And with instant torque available to get the boat moving we find that very little time is spent at WOT with an electric outboard. With an ICE engine, the full HP is not developed until the RPMs reach 5/6000 RPM, so again in the low to mid-range RPMs the electric outboard will outperform the ICE engine, conserving battery.
That said, Lithium-Ion batteries are not currently as energy-dense as fossil fuels. This will change as there are literally billions of $ being spent on R&D in this area.
However, for those wanting longer range times, who don’t have the budget for more kWh in batteries or their boat can’t carry the weight of more batteries, or who don’t want to wait until batteries are more energy dense – what if you could change the boat design to get the run time?
The first response to a longer and faster run time was the hydro-foiling electric boat. This puts the boat out of the water while planing, dramatically reducing the energy required to propel the boat.
The most spectacular example is the European luxury electric boat maker Candela. The C-8 model makes a claim that with Polestar EV car batteries they will have the longest range in the world. The Candela C-8 will have a range of up to 57 nautical miles, or 105 km, at a cruising speed of 22 knots, or 40 km per hour, which equates to around 2.6 hours of run time at Wide Open Throttle (WOT). Candela says the C-8’s performance puts it on par with powerboats using internal combustion engines.
Eclass Outboards have had a couple of approaches from companies wanting to build hydro foiling boats in Australia. This technology is very expensive as not only is the boat a completely different design, but the computer technology required for stabilization is very sophisticated. However, we are ready to meet the challenge with our Australian-made and affordable electric outboard motors when asked.
The newest exciting electric motor run time solution, again from Europe, is the air-cushioned hull.
Using technology that has been around for a couple of decades, SES-X Norway has announced they are ready to commercialize an air-cushioned hull. (pictured above: Source PlugBoats) Conceptually this is a cross between a hydro-foiling boat and a hovercraft, reducing the friction between a boat and the water by raising the boat’s hull above the water's surface.
SES-X system hull is a combination of a catamaran and monohull, using the best features of both.
Boat volume provides space for the fans creating the air cushion as well as the batteries necessary for the fans and electric propulsion motors. Sensors collect data as the boat is in motion to adjust the air output from the fan.
These hulls can have any topside installed, so they can be applied to leisure boats, water taxis, work boats, and passenger ferries, however, due to early costs it is expected that ferries, workboats, and luxury 8m leisure craft will be the first vessels with this technology.
This technology could be very exciting as it could be used as an amphibious craft. Again, Eclass would be up for the challenge as we have already been approached by Hovercraft owners and have talked through a solution with them.
Because planing boats powered by our Australian-made electric outboard motors get on the plane early due to the instant torque it is pleasant to cruise at 10 knots on the plane using very little energy and, in some states, don’t require a license to operate at 10 knots or under.
If you have a boat design concept that needs a custom marine electric engine, please get in contact here
And you are a bit handy OR want to retrofit electric outboards for your customers
We've been working on this one for a while as we needed to get to a point where the DIY was simple to install
We have now packaged up the pre- programmed powerhead, connecting plates and all the battery connections, plus either a pre- programmed twist throttle or a forward control set - and a new cowling to upcycle your existing leg!
You'll love the price savings on a new electric outboard. An inventive Australian Made electric outboard solution
The only skills you'll need are:
Remove the old powerhead and clean
Bolt the new powerhead unit in with four secure points,
Attach the new controls (either new provided twist throttle or forward controls),
and plug it into a suitable battery - and you will be away!!
We now offer repower kits for the following
Other brands and configurations by application.
We also watched Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers go higher in voltage over the years. Tesla is now at 800v. And they get better run range from their batteries with higher voltages which was of interest to us.
It is our opinion that marine voltage will increase in years to come.
We actually started at 72v and then realized that 96v represented a sweet spot.
The engine performs better and 96v DC is safe for marine applications
96v DC is considered extra-low voltage in Australia which allows up to 120v in that category.
As we make electric outboards here in Australia. We adhere to Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules in building our engines, which are amongst the toughest standards in the world.
And we researched safe let-go voltage - and 96v was below a voltage where if you grabbed a live wire you could not let go.
So, electricity and water do mix!
See the full range of batteries here
With petrol and diesel prices continuing to rise, many boat owners are considering the switch to electric boating.
Most boat owners are not aware of how much they are really spending on fuel and maintenance - after all, you just fill up at the service station as you go or pay for a mechanical service or parts and don't realize how these costs add up.
What you may not have considered is that every hour of running in an ICE (internal combustion engine) outboard motor costs the same. Yes, every hour on the water at WOT (wide open throttle) costs the same or even more over time in petrol/oil spend. So you can see how over 10 years, the sums add up.
That's not the case in electric outboard motors.
Although there is an initial investment in batteries, Lithium batteries are expected to last up to 10 years.
An electric outboard motor or electric inboard motor battery only needs to be recharged.
An electric outboard motor's additional running costs will only be the price of electricity for recharging the batteries. If your mains or generator power comes from solar, that cost is pretty much zero. There is a lot to be said for solar boating!
Electric outboard motors also have very little maintenance - only the regular care you would take with your current outboard leg and casing. The powerhead is brushless (no touching parts) and the whole outboard only has a few moving parts. Unlike 2-stroke and more particularly 4-stroke outboards - which have very complex mechanics and electronics.
Over a ten-year period, you will save substantially. And if you use your boat more than once a week, then those savings are even greater. Great news for commercial boat owners or hire boat operators.
We have brochures with total lifecycle costs at 1-5 WOT trips per week for a wide range of outboard motors from 4kW (8hp) - to 30kW (60hp).
Contact us if you would like more information or a brochure.
Or check out our electric outboard range. All our electric outboards are made in Australia.
If you are curious about seeing an electric outboard come to the SHASA Electric Vehicle Expo next Saturday, 1st October Long Weekend.
We will be there with Australia's first electric speed boat, a selection of serious and powerful kW outboard motors, Lithium Ion batteries, and a solar charging station for solar boating.
We love talking about electric boats and retrofitting your existing outboard or inboard to electric motors. Or showing what's possible with a new electric outboard.
See the SHASA organisers website here
What would it mean to make the planet the largest shareholder in a for-profit business like our electric outboard business?
What would we do differently and what would we continue?
Eclass Outboards already have put a lot of thought into how we can contribute to the circular economy.
If you can think of something else we can do to make the planet our largest shareholder, drop us a line!
One of the biggest barriers to electric marine uptake is batteries.
Most people worry first about the range. The famous "range anxiety" is seen in EV's and now marine electric boats.
Well, the outboard range is only limited by the kWh of Lithium batteries in the boat with you.
Planning your electric boating trip is no different from having a petrol tank and gauge.
The second barrier is cost.
Electric boats usually need high discharge batteries, so basically Lithium or new generation solid-state like Graphene supercapacitors.
Unlike petrol engines, the battery investment is all upfront. Yes, it pays off over time compared to a petrol engine - big time! But you still have to invest upfront. It's like putting solar on your roof or a battery to power your house.
That's why we are so excited about our new association with an Australian battery manufacturer of 'second life' EV batteries. Extra excited, because we are Australia's only manufacturer of electric outboards and want to support Australian manufacturing.
These 'second life'' EV cells are tested and then custom built into new battery packs with new Battery Management Systems, monitoring systems and casings.
This has lots of advantages, but the main one is cost. These Australian made systems are very competitively priced. Especially for those of you who want to power that larger 20kW and 30kW plus outboards.
Suddenly a very realistic proposition. Especially if you want more batteries for a longer range and know how long your electric outboard will go.
You can see starting prices on some of our packaged deals such as the 20kW engine and 20kW battery and get in touch if you want to know more.
As two-stroke and four-stroke petrol outboards come to the end of their life. You don't have to throw them on the dump and contribute to the landfill, we can retrofit to convert it to an electric outboard, using a wide variety of castings up to 90hp.
That's the advantage of being manufacturers of electric outboards in Australia.
This has lots of advantages, including assisting those of you with hard-to-find extra long legs or other quirks. Or you just love your current outboard.
Some outboards we will only do retrofit - like our 12kW. Other kW models, you can choose to retrofit your own casing. The savings are considerable. Or you can buy a completely new outboard.
If your current outboard has forward control or electric (not hydraulic) tilt and trim, no problem, we can accommodate, as long as they are in good working order and you deliver it to us clean and without the powerhead.
Get in touch and we can give you a quote. Contact us on info@eclassoutboards.com.au
Or view our range here
We are proud to have been judged as finalists in two categories in these awards.
The 2022 Commercial Marine Project/Design or Manufacturer of the Year award identifies product manufacture, design, and shipbuilding within the Commercial Category in the Australian commercial marine sector.
The 2022 Marketing Strategy of the Year award acknowledges the success of an innovative and effective marketing strategy implemented between January 1 – and December 31, 2022
As Australia's only outboard manufacturer and only electric outboard manufacturer, we are working at the cutting edge of the marine industry in electric outboards, electric boats, and electric jet skis.
See the AIMEX Link to the Awards
One of the first questions people ask us is what horsepower does a kW engine equate to?
And often they have heard of the international hp to kW conversion formula. Which is 1kW = 1.34102209 hp
This is fine, in theory.
However, in practice, we find that calculation is not at all useful.
Why?
Because it doesn't take into account the instant torque. And the advantages of electric in the low to mid-range RPMs. The RPMs you actually need to get on the plane or get going - or dock for that matter.
So that's why we refer to propulsive power at the propeller as the important power equation. And why we comfortably say that whatever propellor the ëlectric outboard can drive, that's the hp equivalent.
So let us explain how this works.
In a combustion engine, the engine has to develop enough RPM (revs per minute) to reach idle speed. This usually occurs at around 1000 RPM, and you are in idle until that point.
Now you can get into gear and start to develop the advertised hp. But the fully advertised hp doesn't occur until the engine has reached around 5/6000 RPMs. So if you are at mid-range, you have not got all the hp of the engine available to you. An example would be a 40 hp outboard, which would only have around 25hp or less available at the low to mid-range of its RPMs.
Now electric outboards behave very differently. They have full power (instant torque) available from the first turn of the propeller. And a flat torque curve.
This power is important in planing boats, as you want to efficiently get out of the displacement hole and on the plane. Then you can reduce power (and amp draw).
In displacement boats, this instant torque gives you high torque at the low range RPMs - perfect for creating that momentum you need to get the boat traveling. The ideal for displacement boat efficiency is to use the biggest propeller you can, turning at the slowest rate.
So back to propulsive power.
When you are looking at electric outboards, we will ask you what propeller your current outboard turns (pitch and diameter). From there we can work out which is the right kW outboard for your boat. By the way all our outboards are made in Australia.
Creep up to a dock with a silent electric engine and say you are using magnetic fields and GPS to pull the boat along
Go to a petrol station and not fill up
Challenge a similar petrol outboard to a sprint with your electric outboard motor (you will win)
Pretend you have left the outboard pull start cord at home but know a way to get it going anyway
Let us know your best April Fools Day Prank? Contact us.
That's the prediction of a report from IDTechEx estimates that “the market for hybrid and pure electric boats and ships will rise rapidly to over $20 billion worldwide in 2027“.
While EClass Marine has been one of the first manufacturers, and still the only electric outboard manufacturer in Australia, the report says there are now more than 100 marine electric manufacturers worldwide.
These companies are working on everything from electric ferries and new hybrid container ships, to the small kW trolling motors now loved by fisherfolk.
The first electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere (NZ) had its maiden voyage just last week.
And Outboard giants Mercury and Yamaha have unveiled their first fully electric concepts. Although these seem to be lower kW offerings and not available to the market as yet, it is a sign of the industry direction.
At EClass Marine we think that once the marketing might of the large manufacturers gets behind electric boats, a lot of the skepticism will wash away.
Having said that, there is a lot of work to do for the mainstream adoption of electric outboard motors. Buyers have battery range anxiety (interesting as it is no different from having a fuel gauge and planning your trip), are not used to paying upfront for batteries.
Also, not many manufacturers are producing the 20kW (40hp) and higher electric outboards so common on many craft. EClass has put a lot of work into this segment with our 20kW Ultra electric outboard engine
The report also indicated that access to parts may be a barrier to electric outboard motor adoption. That's why at EClass we are using tried and proven 2 stroke outboard casings. Any corresponding Yamaha part and accessory will fit. No waiting for a proprietary part to be shipped, and a competent marine technician should be able to install it. We have a 3-year warranty on our electric outboard engines for private use.
EClass Outboards are starting to get heaps of inquiries about retrofitting houseboats with electric outboards. It makes sense. Houseboats and pontoon boats are displacement boats - so they have less amp draw- as they are not trying to get the boat out of the displacement hole and once moving can use their own momentum. Having said that they do require a fair amount of propulsive power (torque) as they need to create that momentum. EClass Outboards can not only provide that propulsive power you need - from our 4kW HD electric outboard, equivalent to an 8hp outboard engine for smaller houseboats and pontoon boats) to our 30kW electric outboard, which will match or better a 40hp petrol outboard. E Class Outboards also have a range of propellers we can fit to our engines - to get that power vs amp draw exactly right for your boat.
Houseboats and Pontoon boats also have heaps of room onboard for Lithium-Ion batteries, and usually have a fair bit of roof real estate for solar. This is an area where petrol outboards cannot follow electric outboard motors. Solar charging of our Lithium-Ion batteries is possible with the right solar setup.
Imagine coming aboard for a weekend on your houseboat and the batteries are charged and ready to go!
As Australia's only manufacturer of electric outboard motors, we have the expertise to turn your houseboat into an electric boat. And you will reap the rewards of a quiet, low-maintenance system that does not pollute the waterways you love to be on.
See our electric outboard range
Contact us to discuss electrifying your houseboat or pontoon boat
To get maximum performance from a boat, we have a few variables we can work with: The kW of the electric engine, rpms we can set the engine at, and the propeller of the electric boat.
And the propeller, blade size, number of blades and pitch is key. Especially if you are wanting high torque for a displacement boat - like a yacht or pontoon or picnic boat or speed for a planing boat such as a speedboat or tender.
That's why our Australian made electric outboard motors don't just come with one proprietary propeller-like some other electric engines.
We offer a range of propellers for each of our electric outboards. And for all our electric outboard motors from 12kW the option includes a really cool Propulse adjustable propeller.
Propulse Propellers (pictured above) are made in Sweden from high-quality composite. 4 bladed for extra blade area (electric loves being under load) they have an easily adjustable pitch from 11" to 17".
All boats are different and require different characteristics from a propeller. This propeller allows you to adjust RPMs by changing pitch and adjusting the pitch to get the optimum performance from the boat. Takes a minute and you don't have to take the outboard off the boat. In an even better feature, we provide extra blades so if you damage your prop blade (so easy to do), it's the work of a moment to fix it. All you will need is a socket spanner.
With these propellers, you can increase or decrease the rpm in multiples of 200 RPMs by adjusting the pitch by a set number of increments. Plus there is an extra increment on either end of the scale. A lower pitch allows better acceleration and high engine revs. A higher pitch allows better running economy and lower engine revs.
We can also supply Propulse propellers for some of your existing boats, even if they are not electric.
Contact us to find out more or call Lynelle +61 408360084