Are Electric Outboards Any Good?

Even at the time of writing this blog post in 2022, electric outboard motors are still a relatively new innovation, similar to the electric car. Just like their four-wheeled counterparts, electric engines are quickly growing in popularity, owing to their low running costs and maintenance-free operation. 

Compared to petrol powered outboard motors, electric outboard engines are far quieter, weigh far less and are also much better for the environment. Electric outboard engines such as ePropulsion’s Spirit Electric Outboard Engine offer solar charging capabilities, so when the sun is shining, your bank account will be too, as you’ll be re-charging the battery for free.

How Long Does An Electric Outboard Last?

ePropulsion's Spirit 1kW (3hp) Electric Outboard Motor will deliver a maximum range of 22 miles, which is roughly the same range as you would get out of a tank of fuel in Mariner's 3.5hp Short Shaft Outboard Engine. However, like with a car, you can quickly refuel the Mariner Outboard, where-as with the electric outboard, you will either have to re-charge the battery, or swap it for a spare battery.

As mentioned previously, the electric outboard motor does have solar-charging capabilities, so can be solar charged when discharging.

Hydrogeneration:
One trick ePropulsion do have up their sleeve is a hydrogeneration model. This electric outboard motor will charge its own battery when wind is being used to propel the boat. Water spins the propeller, which then in turn spins the motor, putting electricity back into the battery, so you can further increase the range.

Best Electric Outboard Motor

The best electric outboard is ePropulsion's Spirit Outboard Engine. The electric outboard motor is extremely lightweight and portable, making transportation easy. When on the water, the outboard engine is very nimble, quiet and efficient, making it the perfect electric outboard for inflatable dinghies, fishing boats, sailboats and tenders.

The electric outboard engine has a variety of options, with our most popular the Spirit plus model with a Short Shaft, although there are X-Short Shaft and Long Shaft options available too. There's also an option to upgrade to the Spirit Evo with Hydrogeneration, which we spoke about earlier. It is worth noting that you cannot purchase the Spirit Plus, then later upgrade to the Spirit Evo - so choose wisely!

Best Battery For An Electric Outboard

Purchasing a spare battery for your electric outboard is a great option for those who worry about any potential range limitations. By far our most popular electric outboard battery is the ePropulsion Spirit Spare Battery. This lightweight, floating battery weighs just 8.7kg, plus has a 1276Wh capacity, so offers high-energy density in a compact size, which results in a large battery capacity.

The Verdict:

The simple answer to the question in the title of this blog post is, yes - electric outboard engines are very, very good. The initial outlay may be higher in comparison to a traditional petrol-powered outboard engine, but over time the cost will even itself out as electric engines require no yearly servicing and no fuel, which adds up over time.

Where Can I Buy Electric Outboard Engines?

We have a fantastic offering of electric outboard engines, sourced from leading brands including ePropulsion and Torqeedo. We also stock a superb range of spare parts for the engines including propellers, kill switches, covers, and even safety wristbands!

If you have any questions about any of the topics mentioned in this blog post, do not hesitate to get in touch. Leave a comment under this blog post, call us on 01634 295 233 or email [email protected] and one of our highly experienced team will be on hand to help.