GM GOING “ALL ELECTRIC” BY 2035
Will the IC-powered boat engine die?
General Motors recently announced it would cease manufacturing car and light-truck internalcombustion engines by 2035. If you are a boat owner, this news might have caused concern. After all, while 2035 is 14 years away, it may be only one or two new boats away, or one or two engine repowers, for boaters currently running inboards and sterndrives. Here’s what Monte Doran, a spokesperson for GM, had to say:
“GM’s announcement focused on electrification as it relates to light-duty passenger vehicles and the aspiration to eliminate tailpipe emissions by 2035. For GM Marine, we are focused on continuing to support the marine industry and the customers that are served with world-class internal-combustion engines. In addition, we can offer collaborative planning for electrification when they are ready.” Heartening news from GM.
Still, marine industry leaders know electric motors will be propelling more and more boats. In a statement exclusive to Boating, Bill Yeargin, president and CEO of Correct Craft, in part said:
“Our Correct Craft team expected this announcement from General Motors; we actually thought the transition could have been even earlier than 2035. Correct Craft has invested millions preparing for the future with our own startup, Watershed Innovation. One of Watershed Innovation’s subsidiaries, Ingenity, has introduced an advanced electric-propulsion package for boats.”
Correct Craft, as most know, markets PleasureCraft Marine engines, Parker Boats, Bryant Boats, SeaArk Marine, Nautique, and more boat and marine brands. You’ll find our performance review of the electric Super Air Nautique GS22e at boatingmag.com/3218.
Correct Craft’s vision stands as a beacon on the fast-approaching horizon of mainstream electric marine propulsion. But it does not stand alone. We’ve reported on electric and hybrid initiatives by Brunswick Corporation’s Fathom ePower system aboard a Sea Ray SLX 400 and tested several Cummins Marine diesel hybrid electric boats. We’ve toured Volvo Penta’s facility in Krossholmen, Sweden, where we ran a large workboat powered by a developmental electric-propulsion system, and recently reported on that company’s sustainability initiatives. With Torqeedo, Editor-at-Large Randy Vance helped set a world electric-boat speed record, and a Torqeedo Deep Blue motor powered the Zin Boats Z2R, a 2020 finalist for our Boat of the Year. We’ve tested several Elco-powered boats and myriad kicker-size outboards, like the EP Carry from Electric Paddle. As I type, we are setting up sea trials with marine-engine distribution giant Mack Boring and Co. to test a new line of electric motors from a company called ePropulsion.
Needless to say, we’ve covered electric trolling motors from makers such as Minn Kota for years, and now even Garmin and Lowrance produce trolling motors. How long before players in this sector produce electric motors for primary rather than auxiliary propulsion?
Please forgive the copious name dropping. It was not meant to be gratuitous. Rather, I hope it helps me show that electric marine power isn’t coming. It’s already here.
After all, while 2035 is 14 years away, it may be only one or two new boats away, or one or two engine repowers, for boaters currently running inboards and sterndrives.