eD-TEC, manufacturer of an electric propulsion drive unit, has unveiled a new, high-performance, all-electric RIB, the first of which is currently undergoing sea trials.
The vessel is the result of a collaboration boatbuilder Sven Akermann, known for delivering performance and lightweight construction.
The carbon monohull – eD 32 c-ultra – is fitted with eD-TEC’s propulsion system and has been developed and built in nine months.
The first of the new models is nearing completion in Germany. It is based on an Akermann design that has been modified in the aft section to cater to eD-TEC’s eD-QDrive 1 propulsion units, surface drives, eD-Technology Stack and battery pack. The boat will be delivered in early summer 2024.
The vessel measures 9.5m LOA with a 3.2m beam and 0.84m draft and is suitable for lake and coastal exploring alike.
It has a 30-knot cruise and 50-knot top speed, and an optional jet thruster system means the boat is very manoeuvrable in tight spaces, making it also suitable for superyacht guest operations.
“We were first in touch with Sven around a year ago because he was interested in what eD-TEC was doing and he supported us, so it was a natural extension to work together and to welcome him onto the eD-TEC Believer Team,” explained Michael Jost, founder of eD-TEC and who was also former chief strategy officer at the VW Group. “There aren’t many boatbuilders who can not only build in full carbon but who can also do it to a very rapid development timescale, but the quality of the build is second to none.”
He added: “What’s more, the hull is foil-ready, and clients can select a foil-assist system as an option which adds more range and also further aids seakeeping.”
And he confirmed that the first version is targeted specifically at the superyacht and leisure markets, but the company has received enquiries different sectors for variants of the craft, including for water police.
Other features of the eD 32 c-ultra include a central helm console with two seats and a full glass bridge comprising an Axiom 15.6in MFD for navigation and a second screen for systems monitoring, together with a wired MOB system and steering and throttle controls. There is also a forward storage compartment plus a bathing platform with integrated swim ladder aft of the sunpad, and a hardtop over the helm.
The hull is equipped with more than 100kWh of batteries in eD-TEC’s allowing for a range of up to 30 nautical miles on a single charge.
These connect via the Technology Stack and AI BOX to the self-contained eD-QDrive 1 drive units, which contain the motors, gearing and surface-piercing propellers.
The sealed drive units provide plug-and-play convenience, with the drive unit featuring two connectors and taking less than an hour to unmount and mount through the transom of the boat.
The eD-QDrive units provide up to 400kW peak power to the props. The c-ultra combines standard 22kW AC charging, and 150kW DC-DC fast charging. eD-TEC is also currently developing a higher capacity battery pack which will allow up to 140kWh of batteries.
