In the last few years, the market share of electric outboard motors has increased considerably as more people choose electric over a conventional gas outboard. This is due to a number of factors like the proliferation of high-capacity lithium batteries, the increased safety of lithium batteries, increased convenience and lower required maintenance, and growing environmental consumer conscience.
Modern electric motors shouldn’t be confused with the electric trolling motors used for precision maneuvering at low speeds (used for freshwater fishing) which have been available for some time. Today’s electric outboard motors are now viable replacements for smaller 3hp gas outboards, common 9.9hp gas outboards, and even larger 60hp gas outboards.
Electric outboards are not the perfect solution in every case, as they still command a price premium over an equivalent gas/diesel boat motor at the higher-power end of the spectrum, even in the long run, factoring ongoing fuel costs. But in the lower-power range, electric motors are a very attractive option for many. The sweet spot is the 1.5hp to 3hp equivalent motor, where the long-term total cost of ownership is only slightly above an equivalent gas outboard. When you factor in all the other benefits though, it becomes clear that the future of boating is indeed electric.
With all that said, let me present 10 reasons why you should choose an electric outboard motor over a gas outboard motor.
1. Silence is Golden
The first thing you’ll notice when switching to an electric boat motor is that sweet, blissful silence! When you’re used to gas outboards, the lack of any motor noise, leaving only the sound of water churning is quite remarkable.
Electric motors naturally have low noise and low vibration due to the lack of internal combustion. ePropulsion motors are especially quiet due to the fact that there are is also no gearbox and only a single moving part (the propeller) which reduces mechanical friction. This is thanks to direct-drive technology, which they were the first company to introduce. In addition, their FOC technology improves the smoothness of motor operation and further reduces physical vibration. These innovations make ePropulsion motors the quietest electric motors in the industry.
The quietness of electric motors makes the entire experience of being out in nature more enjoyable and relaxing. You can hear the people you set out to spend time with. There’s no need to constantly shout at one another.
You can navigate the marine environment without disturbing wildlife. And if you fish with an electric motor, you won’t spook the fish like a gas motor does.
Comparing Noise: Gas Outboard vs. Electric Outboard
2. Cleaner Air, No Fumes
Electric outboard motors are a breath of fresh air, literally. They emit no exhaust emissions, contributing to cleaner air by preventing the release of harmful substances such as:
- carbon dioxide
- carbon monoxide
- hydrocarbons
- particulate matter
- nitrogen oxides
Eliminating noxious emissions means your family on the boat will not inhale any pollutants, effectively protecting their health, as well as the health of the environment and marine life.
Diesel- and gas-powered engines are, in a word, belchers. Just like land-based engines powered by fossil fuels, gar outboard motors cough up fumes that can bother some people to the point of causing seasickness. With electric boat motors, the cruising experience becomes entirely fume-free.
A traditional combustion outboard motor can produce nearly 10,000 lbs of carbon emissions per year given light to moderate use. Even though it takes more resources to produce lithium-ion batteries than it does to extract, refine and transport the fuel for a gas motor, total emissions savings can be seen within 6 months of usage when compared to a standard combustion engine.
3. Cleaner Water
Using electric boat motors not only results in cleaner air, but also cleaner water. Unlike conventional combustion engines, electric outboard motors for boats do not leave oil residue in marine ecosystems, ensuring that the waterways remain untainted by the pollutants.
Combining the lack of polluting liquid emissions with the use of solar panels to recharge the battery, and you have a very sustainable and eco-friendly approach to marine propulsion.
Gas-powered motors are more likely to damage to the natural environment as a result of the chemicals they release into the water. Much of the time, this is due to poor maintenance, though even well cared for engines produce significant traces of pollution over time. Unburned fuel from motors is sometimes discharged into the water as a way to prevent flooding in the engine. Though technology advancements have allowed combustion engines to become more efficient at using fuel, some discharge still occurs. Furthermore, winterization products such as antifreeze used in engines also contain harsh chemicals which severely damage the immediate environment.
You’ve likely seen those greasy, iridescent oil slicks oozing onto the water from the stern of your boat. You’d never swim in that water, so why make aquatic life live with it?
4. Virtually No Maintenance
A 3hp gas outboard motor requires maintenance about every 100 hours or once per year. Many people can do the servicing themselves. It’s not expensive, but one needs to be disciplined about doing it.
Electric boat motors contain far fewer parts than gas-powered engines. ePropulsion electric motors feature a brushless direct-drive motor, so there’s no gearbox. This means there’s significantly less chance of parts breaking down throughout the life of the engine.
Electric boat motors also eliminate the need for regular oil changes or replacement of spark plugs. Apart from periodic replacement of spent anodes and applying a dab of grease to motor pivot points every couple years, there’s no maintenance required for your ePropulsion electric outboard. Which means less time spent hunkered over the motor with tools and more time spent out on the water with friends.
Apart from periodic replacement of spent anodes and applying a dab of grease to motor pivot points every couple years, there’s no maintenance required
5. Ease-of-Use and So Much More Convenience
Electric outboard motors represent a paradigm shift in convenience due to the fact that they are lightweight and easy to carry, have no smelly, flammable fuel storage, and turn on and off with the simple push of a button, just like a light switch. All while emitting no fumes.
Gas motors—especially older ones—can be temperamental and often require patience and a lot of skill. You’ve got choking, it often doesn’t start in the first half dozen pulls, and you need to do a basic inspection to ensure the gear is in the neutral position before starting. For cold starting, you also need to open the valve and screw tight the fuel tank cap. Electric starting systems for gas motors are available, but generally only available for outboards above 20hp.
By contrast, rather than pulling the pull cord multiple times (which my wife is loathe to do and my kids struggle with), one simply presses the ON/OFF button—that’s it, you’re ready to go.
Because there are no fumes and no chance of spills, you can store an electric outboard below and not worry about it getting stolen or weather damaged.
Or toss your electric outboard in back of your car! With gas motors, users often complain that their hands, clothes and the car trunk are stained by the oil and the fuel of the outboard, and it is often a big pain to clean afterward.
Electric outboards provide ambidextrous operation (turn the throttle easily either from the left-hand or right-hand side) and provide the ability to propel your boat both forward and reverse. No more swivelling the outboard around to go reverse.
Finally, the Spirit 1.0 Evo permits remote throttle and remote steering control (the former through a wireless Bluetooth connection that permits placing the remote throttle control anywhere on the boat). It’s the only under-5hp equivalent electric outboard on the market that allows remote helm steering. A side-mount remote throttle control is also available, as is a dual remote control if you have two electric outboards.
6. Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness, No Fuel Costs
The longer lifespan and reduced maintenance needs of electric motors can make them more cost-effective over the long term, despite the higher initial investment.
Buying electricity tends to be a lot cheaper than buying gasoline (whether you’re on land or on the water!). So while the initial purchase price of an electric boat motor may be higher than the price to buy a gas-powered motor for a boat, recurring costs will be lower with an electric motor.
No more waiting in line for —whose technology eliminates the need for stops at the fuel dock. There’s simply no more watching the price at the pump. Ever.
7. Confidence and Reliability
Thanks to the direct drive technology of ePropulsion electric outboards, there are far fewer moving parts to wear and break, reducing the time and cost of maintenance.
Imagine not having to have a pull cord to start your outboard, and not dealing with the anxiety associated with that—will it or won’t it start? With the touch of a button an electric outboard will be up and running, and even those less confident around boats will feel in control and ready to start their journey with ease.
You never have to question if it will or won’t start when I really need it. It always works (as long as the battery is charged of course!)
A 3hp gas outboard motor is less reliable. Most experienced boaters know this, but for those skeptical, a quick Internet search for “troubleshooting outboard won’t start” leads to over 200 million results.
Two-stroke engines require mixing oil into the fuel at a predetermined ratio in order to ensure the engine receives adequate lubrication during operation, otherwise, the engine may blow.
Two-stroke engines running at full power for more than 30 minutes may also cause an explosion. In poor-quality water, the cooling system may get blocked, causing a cooling failure.
In a colder environment, users must replace the antifreeze lubricants and antifreeze gear oil before the first use, otherwise it will not start or cause engine damage.
By contrast, with an electric motor, there’s really very little to go wrong, and if it works fine on the first use, chances are excellent it will continue to work fine for the next 10 years (as long as the battery is charged—that’s really the only thing you have to pay attention to).
8. Faster Acceleration and Instant Power
One of the standout features of electric motors is the immediate torque they provide. Unlike traditional engines, which may require a build-up to reach full power, electric motors deliver instant, smooth acceleration right from the get-go. This immediate response enhances your boat’s manoeuvrability, allowing for quicker turns and more precise control in various water conditions.
Response time is significantly improved and unlike gas motors, which have a small delay between the throttle movement and motor response. Electric outboards respond from the moment the throttle is applied.
The benefit of instant torque isn’t just about speed; it’s also about the quality of your boating experience. Whether you’re navigating through a crowded marina or taking on more challenging waters, the ability to accelerate instantly gives you a distinct advantage. It enhances your water performance, making your journey faster and enjoyable.
9. Compliant With Current and Future Regulations
Out of environmental considerations, Europe, United States and Canada have started imposing bans on combustion engines in many water areas, and only electric outboard powered or manpower-propelled boats can enter.
For boaters who cruise on lakes, regulatory bans of gas- and diesel-powered motors are becoming an increasing challenge (because of all that noise and fume belching). Electric boats provide an opportunity to take advantage of otherwise inaccessible areas on the water.
As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, the shift towards greener technologies is accelerating. Electric motors are at the forefront of this movement in the boating industry, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered engines. Making the switch to electric not only benefits you today but also contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future for marine navigation.
As regulations around emissions and marine conservation become more stringent, electric motors are increasingly becoming the standard. By adopting electric technology now, you’re not just staying ahead of the curve; you’re also investing in a solution that is likely to become the norm in the years to come.
10. Improved Safety
Electric motors reduce the risk of fire onboard since they don’t require highly flammable fuels, a critical advantage in the confined spaces of boats. By not emitting harmful gases which can be a health hazard, they’re also a lot safer when maintaining or troubleshooting in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas (not that they need any maintenance).
The elimination of gas and diesel fuels also prevents any chance of dangerous spills, further safeguarding marine ecosystems and mitigating fire risks.
The simplicity of electric engines lends itself to user safety as well. A mere button press guarantees a reliable start, eliminating the need for cumbersome and sometimes unpredictable pull-start mechanisms. The immediate torque afforded by electric engines ensures deft manoeuvrability, a vital trait when navigating in close quarters or docking. By offering such an array of safety features, electric outboards set a new standard in marine safety, making them a prudent choice for safety-conscious boaters and institutions like sailing schools.
