Taiga Orca electric jet ski to go on sale in Australia

Taiga Motors, a Quebec-based company that launched in February last year, will start selling the Taiga Orca Carbon, a 160hp two-seater jet ski, in Australia via its website.

A spokesman for Taiga told boatsales.com.au the “e-jet ski” would be sold here via the taigamotors.com website and kick off from $US17,490 ($A25,800), although he did not disclose if this included delivery to Australia, and taxes.

The company is so far only taking pre-orders for the Taiga Orca. It is not known when the first customer deliveries are expected.

The jet ski can be recharged at home using the same plug used to charge an electric car. Recharging the 6.6kWh battery will take about 14 hours from a household power point, 3.5 hours from a fast charger, and up to 80 per cent of the battery’s capacity in around 30 minutes from a rapid charging station.

The company has even started rolling out its own recharging network across North America. It is not known if Taiga intends doing the same in Australia to support its customers here.

The carbon-fibre Taiga Orca sits on a uniquely designed hull that its maker claims will “deliver all-out control that cuts through water with agility and grace for a wholly new riding experience”.

“Orca elegantly combines the performance-focused electric powertrain with near-non-existent throttle lag and bespoke design for outright fun and sustainable waterway adventure.”

Details, such as charging times, are not yet available, but Taiga says its Orca will have a range of about 45km and, depending on how it is used, a run-time of about 3.5 hours for the top-spec model, and about two hours for the Performance. 

Top speed is expected to be more than 100km/h.

However, the skis are expected to come equipped with a 7.0-inch multifunction screen with in-built satellite navigation and a Bluetooth audio system, with features such as a boat-style fishfinder on the options list. Onboard storage is 57 litres.

Taiga also plans to be able to update the ski’s software via a smartphone connection, so as battery management technology improves, so should the ski’s performance.

The Orca is currently being built as a high-end Carbon configuration costing from $US27,400, although two lower-cost models – an entry-level $17,490 black-and-white coloured 90km/h Sport and the mid-level $19,490, 100km/h-plus Performance that can come with an optional tow sports package.

Taiga’s launch of the Orca electric jet ski in Australia gives it first mover status against the likes of Sea-Doo, which plans to introduce an electric jet ski by 2026, Yamaha and Kawasaki.

Australian start-up EClass Outboards, which converts old outboard engines to battery-fuelled versions, has trialled converting an older jet ski into an electric version with the idea that it could one day sell complete conversion kits to customers.

At 2.9 metres long and 1.0 metres wide, the Taiga Orca sits on a smaller footprint than a conventionally engined jet ski. It’s also around 50kg lighter.