Mercury Marine unveiled its Avator 7.5e electric outboard at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The 7.5e is the first in a series of electric outboards Mercury plans to release.
A 20e and 35e are scheduled to debut later this year.
“We are excited to formally introduce the Avator 7.5e electric outboard to the world,” Chris Drees, Mercury Marine president, said in a statement. “As the innovation leader in the marine industry, both in internal combustion products and now electric propulsion, we have the resources and knowledge to make boating more accessible to more people while building on our commitment to sustainability.”
The Avator 7.5e generates 750 watts of power at the prop shaft and produces speeds and acceleration similar to a Mercury 3.5-hp 4-stroke, according to Mercury. The outboard is offered with tiller or remote steering and has swappable batteries, a quick-connect mounting system, and a color display that shows battery level and range.
Mercury parent Brunswick Corp. introduced the Veer boat brand at CES. It’s intended to support electric propulsion and appeal to a younger generation. The first model is the X13.
“Recreational boating and fishing are enjoying increasing popularity with younger and more diverse consumers,” Matt Atilano, Veer director of strategy, said in a statement. “We identified a gap in the marketplace and a need to create a more targeted and modern experience for these new boaters, which inspired the design and development of the new brand.”
The Veer X13 is built of rotomolded polyethylene and is designed for an Avator electric outboard or a 4-stroke from Mercury. It was built by Brunswick’s Lund Boats and comes with a galvanized trailer. Pricing starts at $11,995, and the boat will be available this spring.
Brunswick also announced a “brand update” and new tagline at the show: “Next Never Rests.” Chief marketing officer Lauren Beckstedt said the update “pays homage to a future we will define and underpins the company’s enduring relevance as a leader in technology and sustainable innovation.”
Added Brunswick CEO David Foulkes: “Central to our brand commitment, and the industry transformation we aspire to achieve, are our partners — in our broad customer base, our channel and our supply chain, across technology verticals, and throughout our wealth of world-class talent. Innovation is what drives Brunswick forward and what excites others to join us as we craft a batter, more sustainable future.”
