Axopar takes a stake in Evoy electric motor group
Axopar to advance its battery-fuelled future with strategic partnershipNordic boatbuilder Axopar Boats has announced it has picked up a 10 per cent stake in Norwegian electric inboard and outboard motor specialist Evoy in a move that will see the two companies closely align.
Under the terms of the deal, and as part of an investment program that will prepare Evoy for the next step in its journey, Axopar will tap Evoy to help it in its transition to electrification and sustainable boating.
In return, Axopar’s worldwide sales network will add Evoy products to its distribution channels, giving the electric motor group access to a global market. According to Axopar, Evoy’s deliveries this year alone are expected to earn the group around €1 million ($A1.6 million).
“Set to benefit all boat manufacturers looking into electrifying their fleet, Axopar will work closely with Evoy with their future development to ensure straightforward, easy to install and streamlined turn-key solutions offered from Evoy,” Axopar said in a statement announcing the partnership.
“Both companies are unitedly aiming to accelerate and make the adoption of electric technology as straightforward and accessible as possible to all.”
The two companies collaborated last year on an Axopar 25 fitted with a prototype 300hp “Storm” outboard motor.
The 800-volt prototype outboard motor was powered by a pair of 63kWh Kreisel batteries – the same company providing battery packs for hybrid WRC rally cars – enabling the prototype to reach a top speed of 50 knots.
At the time, Evoy claimed the “ground-breaking” batteries could be charged to 80 per cent of capacity in less than an hour using a rapid recharger, with a 100 per cent charge taking about 4.5 hours.
Axopar said the relationship with Evoy came after “the extremely well-received proof of concept of the Axopar 25 Electric prototype”.
Axopar founding partner Jan-Erik Viitala said Evoy had proven to be a “perfect match” for Axopar.
“Our mission together is to inspire and catalyse a broader movement towards sustainable boating, encouraging other boat manufacturers to invest in electric boating as well, with development into full-scale serial production,” he said.
“We believe that electrification will grow in stages and we will be together in the forefront of development.”
No timeline was given for when the first product from the new partnership would hit Axopar's showrooms.
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