Torqeedo electric motors launch in Australia

The big Yanmar and Mase marine engine distributor is carrying an extensive line-up of new Torqeedo electric motors, Lithium batteries and parts at its impressive warehouse facility in Lynbrook, where the floor is so clean you could eat off it.

Power Equipment is now establishing a national Torqeedo dealer network and intends to market the brand, which was established in Germany in 2005, to Australian boaters as the way of the future. Not as trolling motors, but as main electric propulsion alternatives.

The impressive engine distributor revealed it is backing the smart electric Torqeedo motors as a replacement for portable petrol-powered outboard engines, especially portable two-strokes with carburettors which are being phased out next year.

Power Equipment turned over $45 million last year via sales of around 6000 diesel marine and industrial engines. It also carries thousands of spares delivered overnight via its fully automated Hanel Lean-Lift distribution system from Germany.

MARINE MARKET SHIFT
Jason Hodder, Torqeedo Product Manager, said: "This is an important shift in where the future of boat propulsion is heading. What Tesla has done for cars in making electric accessible and acceptable, we believe Torqeedo will create similar waves on the water."

Petrol-powered carburetted outboard engines will be phased out in 2017 when the new exhaust emissions standards are introduced in Australia and evaporative standards are being considered for 2019 for fossil-fuel burning marine engines.

Power Equipment said Torqeedo was a perfect alternative to tradition outboard engines and that it was a great fit for its existing marine power portfolio that includes Yanmar diesel engines, Mase generators and soon Oxe diesel outboards (stand by for a 200hp Oxe model to be released late 2016 or early 2017).

THE SMALL OUTBOARD MARKET
At the press conference on Monday (May 10), Power Equipment said there were about 32,000 outboard engines sold annually in Australia, of which 18 per cent or 5600 units are less than 10hp.

Power Equipment hopes to sell 500 Torqeedo units annually in the 3hp-and-below segment in coming years. This is a market where the small carburetted two-stroke outboards we have today will be phased out. The alternatives on offer will be four-stroke outboards or electric power.

With fully integrated and proprietary German-made Lithium batteries, onboard computers with range-to-go GPS, smartphone App integration, short or long shaft variants, and IP67 immersion rating (immerse at one metre for 20 minutes and still start), the Torqeedo motors are intelligent little kickers.

LITHIUM BATTERIES AND RANGE
Each Torqeedo motor includes an on-board computer showing your range so you know how far you can go with the current battery life and speed setting.

The additional Torq Trac App overlays this range information with a map of your current location on your smartphone.

The safe lithium batteries are completely solar chargeable, otherwise, they take about seven hours to charge from 'dead'.

The five-tier safety system used by Torqeedo for the lithium batteries includes safe battery chemistry and safe packaging of individual battery cells, which is achieved through a precise and clean production process that incorporates a Battery Management System (BMS) with redundant safety features while meeting the waterproof IP67 standard.

AN ELECTRIC FOR EVERYONE
The compact Torqeedo electric motors are affordable and
applicable for a lot of kayaks, tenders and tinnies. Besides the media launch of the German-made product, we also got to the test a bunch of the motors on a range of small craft. Report to come.

Power Equipment will be distributing four Torqeedo models including:
>> Ultralight (1hp equivalent) ideal for canoes and kayaks;
>> Travel (1.5hp and 3hp equivalent) suited to dinghies and tenders;
>> Cruise (5hp 8hp and 20hp equivalent) for motorboats and sailboats; and
>> Deep Blue (40hp and 80hp equivalent) used for green boats and commercial operators.

Prices start at $2500 for the Ultralight 403 with 1hp rating for kayaks, range to about $3000 for the Travel series for tenders and tubs with equivalent power output of a 3-4hp outboard, and cost about $5100 for the Cruise series with 5-9.9hp like performance for tinnies.

There also Deep Blue models available with 40-80hp up to 160hp ratings in inboard, outboard and saildrive applications. These bigger Torqeedo engines are said to be well suited to catamaran propulsion and eco-tourism boats.

A SEAMLESS FIT
"Power Equipment is extremely proud to have secured the Australian and New Zealand distribution for the Torqeedo range. For the last 25 years we have been passionate about delivering the very best brands, and Torqeedo fits seamlessly into our stable of the highest quality marine products," Mr Hodder said.

"Torqeedo is a pioneering German brand at the global forefront of marine motor technology. It’s known for its innovation, convenience and eco-friendliness – we’re excited to be bringing them to local rivers, bays and oceans."

The Torqeedo motors are currently available at selected dealers nationally and Power Equipment welcomes interest from other dealers interested in Torqeedo.

For a full list of current dealers and more information on Torqeedo, visit the Power Equipment website: www.powerequipment.com.au/products/torqeedo.

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