The team behind the startup company eD-TEC refuses to accept that performance, comfort, and range are mutually exclusive. That’s why it’s convinced its 32 c-ultra electric RIB will change the superyacht tender market, plus coastal cruising. With hull number one currently undergoing sea trials for summer delivery, the RIB promises some impressive figures.
Firstly, eD-TEC (which stands for Electric Driven Technology) expects a 50-knot top speed and 30-knot cruise. This in a RIB with an LOA of 31 feet (9.5 meters), a beam of 10’5” (3.2 meters), and super-skinny draft of 2’8” (0.84 meter). Secondly, the hull comes from Sven Akermann, a German boatbuilder, which adapted an existing carbon fiber design to suit the propulsion system. “We were first in touch with Sven around a year ago, because he was interested in what eD-TEC was doing, and he supported us,” explains Michael Jost, the company’s founder. Jost previously spent about a decade with VW Group, the last wo of which saw him lead it into electric automobiles. He departed to focus on electric boats, in fact.
The propulsion system for the 32 c-ultra electric RIB is marine-specific, not adapted from cars or other vehicles. Development is by eD-TEC and thus-far unnamed partners. It incorporates the company’s eD-QDrive 1 drive units, containing electric motors, gearing, and surface-piercing props. Upwards of 100 kWh of batteries connect to the drive units, too. According to eD-TEC, you can expect a range of up to 30 nautical miles on one charge. Standard charging is 22 kW AC, though 150-kW DC-DC fast charging is also available, especially for superyacht tenders. With the latter, the batteries should reach 80 percent charge in 40 minutes.
The drive units, meanwhile, reportedly can provide up to 400 kW of peak power to the surface-piercing props. Further noteworthy, since the drive units are self-contained, they’re plug and play. Should you need to troubleshoot them at a shipyard, technicians should be able to unmount them via two connectors in less than an hour. Additionally, built-in artificial intelligence allows automatic updates as eD-TEC develops them.
Since superyacht tenders sometimes have creature comforts, eD-TEC also took these into consideration. The 32 c-ultra electric RIB has a big sunpad aft, in proximity to the swim-ladder-equipped swim platform. Note, too, that you can request other configurations back here instead of a sunpad. Additionally, you can incorporate options including an entertainment system, a refrigerator forward with a settee and table, and a head with shower. Yet another possibility: solar panels for the hardtop over the helm, powering the entertainment system and refrigerator. Sun awnings, two more forward-facing seats, and various hull colors are further available.
Your crew, meanwhile, has a handful of electronics to request, including wireless MOB alerts. They’ll also appreciate jet thrusters for better maneuverability. Note, too, “the hull is foil-ready, and clients can select a foil-assist system as an option, which adds more range and further aids seakeeping,” Jost says.
eD-TEC is also working on a higher-capacity battery bank for completion later this year. Its 140 kWh should permit longer range and running time.
eD-TEC ed-tec.de
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