Lithium-ion Electric Boat Battery

Lithium Technology Spurs Innovation in the Electric Boat Industry

Electric boats were in use as early as the 1880s and were widely used until 1920, when the internal combustion engine became popular. Modern electric boats have a rechargeable battery and the invention of the lithium battery has boosted their popularity.

How is an Electric Boat Powered?

An electric boat is powered by batteries and does not burn fossil fuels. It can recharge its batteries using solar energy, the grid, or regenerative engines.

How has Lithium-ion Technology Improved to Make Electric Boats Possible?

For many years, lead-acid batteries were the only viable technology for marine propulsion. However, lithium batteries offer a number of advantages that make them increasingly popular. For example, they are smaller and lighter than their lead-acid counterparts, which is an important factor for marine vessels since weight can affect buoyancy, speed, and maneuverability. Lithium batteries also run four times longer than lead-acid batteries of the same weight. Additionally, and most importantly to boaters: lithium batteries are more efficient. In a direct comparison between a lead-acid battery and a lithium battery with equal volts and amps, the lithium battery ran at 98% efficiency; in contrast, the lead-acid battery only ran at 80% efficiency—a difference of almost 20%.

Another advantage of lithium batteries is that they are more eco-friendly than lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries leak acid and lead into the water, polluting it and harming any organisms within it.

Lithium waste may also leak into the water, but it is less harmful than lead.

The Popularity of Electric-Powered Boats is Growing Rapidly

Electric boats are increasingly popular, and the companies that make them are not content with simple designs. Instead, many manufacturers strive to make boats that run faster than standard electric models and resemble their diesel-powered counterparts. Vision Marine is one of the leading companies in this field. 

BATTERY EXPERT

Battery Expert aims to offer high-performance lithium batteries for the high-end boat market, which will compete with any other speed boat on the market. Unlike most electric boats, Battery Expert’s wake will be for boarding or skiing in the water—unusual for an electric boat because its wake’s drag can be heavy and require significantly more power.