Electric-boat engine manufacturer Torqeedo recently signed a supplier agreement with BMW.
Torqeedo said the first boats equipped with BMW i batteries are in operation or close to completion and they include motorboats, sailing yachts and commercial marine applications such as water taxis.
The BMW i3 battery has been adapted to work with Torqeedo’s Deep Blue engines, which are offered in inboard, outboard and hybrid systems up to 160 hp. The batteries offer the highest density currently available for boats at a lower cost per watt, Torqeedo said.
“BMW i batteries are a model of exceptional reliability and performance in electric mobility,” Torqeedo co-founder and CEO Christoph Ballin said in a statement. “They allow us to deliver cutting-edge electric propulsion and integrated energy management for both recreational and commercial applications.”
Torqeedo said BMW batteries are made with a prismatic cell design that allows efficient cooling, a compact size and even temperature distribution within the unit. The rugged construction protects the internal cells and provides impact and shock resistance.
