Vetus launches air-cooled electric sterndrive motors for smaller boats

The E-Line Air Electric Propulsion Series is a range of three motors spinning the propeller at the same speed as the motor.

The range will come in three sizes: the 4.0kW/24V EAIR04024, the 4.0kW/48V EAIR040, and the 6kW/48V EAIR060.

Vetus has talked up the benefit of the air-cooled system over water-based ones saying the system is not affected by thick weed that can block water intakes, has better cold weather protection, and has lower maintenance costs.

The modular engines also weigh only 65kg, with a physical size much smaller than the conventional engines that Vetus hopes owners will consider the E-Line Air system motors will replace in a refit.

If an owner ever wants to upsize or downsize the motor, the E-Line Air range is fully modular, meaning a new one fits the same mounts as the old one.

The new motors are also easy to fit, with Vetus saying all a new owner needs to do is “mount the motor, align the shaft using the adjustable Swap&Go brackets plus specialised motor mounts, connect a battery pack and you’re good to go”.

According to Vetus, the electric motor’s electronic throttle controls will allow users to instantly switch between forward and reverse gears, as well as benefit from instant throttle response.

Vetus also talks up the ability of the electric motor to act as a brake, working like an electric car’s energy recovery mode to use the motor’s torque to slow the boat down.

The company says it also has a selection of deep-cycle, AGM deep-cycle and lithium-ion batteries that the motors can plug into to draw power.

Vetus already has a range of E-Drive closed-circulation water-cooled electric boat motors ranging between 5kW and 15kW, as well as a 10kW E-Pod pod drive system.

Vetus will offer the E-Line Air series with a three-year warranty. Pricing is yet to be announced.