A Dutch offshoot of the UK axial-flux motor developer Saietta is about to start production of an electrically powered outboard motor for boats that, it believes, will pose a significant challenge to traditional outboard engines, especially as emissions legislation drives a move towards electric power. In Amsterdam, for example, all new vessels will have to be electrically powered by 2025, and it is predicted that 74% of outboard motor sales in Europe will be electric by 2030.
The electric outboard motor, being built by the Saietta spin-off called Propel, is based on a 10kW “pancake” axial-flux motor – the equivalent of a 25hp traditional outboard engine – with a controller mounted on top.
Saietta Group plc (LON:SED) is a multi-national business which designs, engineers and manufactures complete Light Duty and Heavy Duty electric drive (eDrive) systems for electric vehicles on land from scooters to buses (vehicle categories L, M, N and T) as well as marine applications.