Elan Yachts to offer Oceanvolt electric motors on all its yachts
The Slovenian shipyard Elan Yachts and the manufacturer of electric motors for yachting Oceanvolt have formalized the signing of an OEM agreement. All the yachts of the different Elan ranges (GT, E-line and Impression) will be available with Oceanvolt electric engines. "This is one of the first monohull builders with whom we are signing an agreement for the entire range. We had already announced a partnership with Itacatamaran's multihulls, whose range is smaller. This is the beginning of the process with Elan, but the aim is for the diesel engine to become the option and the electric motor to become the basic version as standard" explains Christian Hallberg, Oceanvolt's Commercial Director.
A change in the apprehension of the electric boat
For the head of the Finnish company, this is a milestone in the development of a change in the mentality of boaters. "It's a good advertisement for electric boating. We're at a point where there's a change in the mindset of boaters in relation to the electric motor. This offer is important for customers who are reluctant to choose electric propulsion on their boats. It's happening 2 to 3 years later than we thought, but it's getting off the ground," says Christian Hallberg.
Towards a growth of the series production electric sailboat
It is also a turning point for the industrial management and development of marine electric engine manufacturers. "The objective with Elan is 10 to 15 boats per year to start and more afterwards. Our current capacity is 100 systems per year, monohull or multihull, so that counts for 10%. The number of refit projects is always increasing, doubling every year. But the number of new boat projects that come to fruition is increasing even faster. These are mainly deliveries for a few boats at a time. With this OEM agreement and others to come, we will be able to accelerate in production boats, even if in our 30 - 50 foot niche, the number of engines is still low compared to outboards," concludes Oceanvolt's sales director.
