Yamaha buys electric outboard motor maker Torqueedo

Yamaha announced last week it had bought the entire Torqueedo outboard and inboard business from diesel engine maker Deutz, which bought the Germany-based electric motor group in 2017 as part of a product diversification.

Torqueedo’s range of electric motors is expected to sell alongside Yamaha’s Harmo electric pod drive system developed in-house by the Japanese outboard engine maker.

The deal appears to give Yamaha a big helping hand in both selling electric technology and tapping into Torqueedo’s vast bank of research into electric motor development.

“With sales in the small electric motor market on the rise, mainly in Europe, Torqeedo continues to grow as a company,” Yamaha said in a statement announcing the deal. 

“It also holds many patents related to electric motors, propellers, and electric systems, as well as the R&D capabilities, mass-production equipment, and development resources for next-generation environmental technologies.”

Yamaha said Torqueedo was a good fit with its medium-term marine business strategy which included setting the groundwork for how Yamaha would adapt to electrification.

“This acquisition is also meant to accelerate the company's efforts for achieving carbon neutrality in the marine industry as well as aid in fast-tracking the establishment of a small electric propulsion lineup,” it said. 

“Furthermore, by combining Torqeedo's assets with Yamaha Motor's decades of technical expertise and know-how in hull design, marine engines, and more will birth synergies for creating mid-range electric outboard motors as the company aims to become a leader in the growing market for electric boat propulsion.”

Torqueedo’s latest product release, unveiled at Boot Dusseldorf 2024, is the Travel family of motors to power boats up to 12,000kg, and Deep Blue motors to power larger yachts up to 36 metres in length.