October 22, 2009
At Nimbus we regard the E-Power boat as an important
part of our environmental work. Building the N-27 E-Power is a first
step towards a healthier climate, and opens up a future commercial
market. Our ambition is to lead development in environmentally friendly
boats without our customers having to forego comfort and performance.
We intend to create a new market and shape the environmentally friendly
boats of the future. We expect that interest in these craft will
increase as performance improves, just as it has in the case of
electric cars.
The Nimbus 27 E-Power is part of our 2015 environment vision. We will be launching an E-Power boat onto the market within this time frame. We want to lead development in this technology and show that it works. We have driven the boat in test conditions for many hours and the boat will now be evaluated and put through further tough tests followed by still more trials, including DNV. We are very advanced in this technology. Consequently, we expect to be able to introduce the E-Power boat at some time during the 2011 season.
Our target group comprises boating people who want to look after the environment, while having an active boating life without foregoing comfort and performance just because they choose an environmentally friendly boat. These craft will become a natural complement to diesel powered boats in the future. And we can see a big market generated by the European inland waterways system where there is an enormous boat population and where environmental regulations are strict.
The production of the E-Power boat is a result of the decision taken by the management of the Nimbus Group, which also includes the Paragon, Ryds and Storebro brand names. Initially, this application could come to be used in one or more of these models, as an environmentally friendly alternative.
We are also examining other environment improvements such as hull resistance, environmentally suitable building materials and reduced emissions.
Technology
This is a standard production boat; it has not been prepared or lightened in any way in either hull or deck. The electric ally powered engine has been given a really tough challenge. The engine and the battery cells come from Electroengine. The transmission is a DPH duoprop drive from Volvo Penta.
At the moment the boat has a cruising speed of 23 knots and a top speed of 27 knots. The range is 20 nautical miles at 23 knots. We shall probably be presenting versions with still longer ranges when we launch the boat onto the market.
The boat is charged from a standard power point of 230 volt/16 ampere. Charging takes 28 hours. When using a standard 3-phase 400 volt/32 ampere power point, charging takes approx. 4 hours.
Instead of a fuel gauge there is a “battery gauge” to avoid you running out of electric power. There is also a small diesel generator aboard for use if you do happen to run out of power. This will take you home, but slowly. The diesel generator runs at optimum rpm for lowest emission.