British marine technology company RAD has appointed KENT Marine Equipment, part of KENT Group, to supply and integrate its electric propulsion systems in France.
The agreement adds the 40kW RAD 40 electric outboard to KENT’s propulsion portfolio for professional vessels.
KENT supplies power and propulsion equipment to shipowners, naval architects, boatbuilders and operators, and will support customers from initial specification through to installation.
The distributor can also combine RAD drives with MASE marine generators and Dynawatt alternators. These hybrid configurations are intended to extend operating range where battery-only propulsion is not suitable for the full duty cycle.
The RAD 40 uses drive-by-wire control and offers 180 degrees of steering, an arrangement designed to improve low-speed handling and manoeuvrability in confined waters.
Hybrid installations
“We chose RAD because the RAD 40 performs at the level our professional customers expect,” said Matthieu Dechamps, product development director at KENT Group.
“It runs silently, without vibration and requires very little maintenance. What stands out most is its manoeuvrability, which comes from an architecture designed specifically for electric propulsion.”
Dechamps added that pairing the outboard with KENT’s generator and alternator products would allow the company to offer hybrid installations with additional range.
Chris Shepherd, chief commercial officer at RAD, added: “KENT brings strong engineering capability and a trusted presence with French shipowners and boatbuilders.
“Their ability to integrate RAD drives alongside their own generator and alternator range gives operators a complete, supported solution from a single partner.”
