General Motors naved boating, charming at 25% of the shares in the US EV company that specializes in the electric boat propulsion system. Pure Watercraft is a Seattle-based company that develops a zero emissions outboard motor that is not only silent, but does not require maintenance.
The pure stalling system is visible, at first glance, such as traditional gas outboard motors. But the unit – is equivalent to 50 ordinary horsepower – can collect 25 kw electrical power, with power tilt / trim and 16-inch prop.
With a 8.8 KWh battery pack and the throttle activated Bluetooth, it can be installed on the back of the ship. Up to ten batteries can be connected together at one time, to roam remote or larger ships. “Our fully closed electric outboard motor means there is no liquid that has been examined or filled,” added the boat pure, “without a spark plug, there was no cooling loop for clogging and carrying invasive species, there was no rebuilding of teeth, and there was no annual winter Of course. “
Preorders for Pure Outboards are open, at a price of $ 16,500 with a single battery or $ 25,000 with two battery packages. The company also offers a preorder on a vessel that is fully configured, combining its paste technology by ship from other brands. For example, the sun tracker 20 Door Barge Dlx at $ 28,500 all-in, while the TAM 175 TXW Team Team Tracker is $ 27,500.
GM, meanwhile, has until now it has been focused on land for the application of electrification. The company is busy working on the first ultium-based models, which are built on a new modular platform for EVs. The first example of the GMC Hummer EV, shortly followed by Cadillac Lyriq. This is part of an investment of $ 35 billion to EVS and autonomous vehicles carried out by General Motors until 2025.
However, pure boat appeal, however, expand electrification outside the automotive segment. “Collaboration will utilize the propulsion technology of innovative sea pure boats and experience in the commercial marine industry with GM engineering, supply chains and manufacturing capabilities,” GM said in a statement. “The two companies will develop and commercialize electric boats of batteries, integrating GM technology into various applications, helping to accelerate the industrial transition to electrical mobility.”
It is not clear at this stage how much GM pays 25% pure boat pieces. Likewise, what is unknown is what products are in the mind of the two companies. Specific-specific, GM said, will be discussed later on.
However, it is not a completely strange prospect for car companies. The market for electric vessels has grown, although relatively slow, because the same advantage as the EV driver shows the land has changed to show their strength in water, too. Back in 2018, for example, Jaguar applies electrification to the prototype speedboat, setting a record of maritime speed in the process.
Recently, Swedish shipmaker X Shore revealed its first electricity model for the US market. Eelex 8000 – nicknamed “Tesla from an electric boat” – can set up to 35 knots of a 225 kw motorbike, while dual 60 kWh Li-ion batteries are good for up to 100 miles according to the company. It doesn’t come cheap, mind: a typical stylish boat carries prices starting at $ 329,000 intoxicating.
Pure Watercraft, on the contrary, significantly cut it, at least because it didn’t try to build the entire ship itself. Which might make the prospect much more interesting – and can be achieved – to those who want to give up their boat increases, a lot by the way GM’s long-term plan with Ultium is to offer an upgrade route that they want to retire cars and internal combustion trucks.