FAQ
Electric outboards are new technology and there's a lot to learn. Read below and check out our blog to learn more about electric engines and if one would work well on your boat!
ePropulsion
Torqeedo
General
What is the difference between the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus and the ePropulsion Spirit Evo?
The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus and the ePropulsion Spirit Evo are both 3hp/1kW electric outboard motors manufactured by ePropulsion. They use the same 1276Wh Spirit battery, which weighs 19lbs, floats when dropped in the water, and can be charged via 110v AC power, 12v DC power, or a solar panel.
The Spirit 1.0 Plus is ePropulsion’s base model, and at $2,599 for the shaft, battery and standard charger, it’s the most competitively priced 3hp electric outboard on the market today with an integrated battery. The Spirit 1.0 Plus has a built-in tiller, which can fold down when not in use.
The Spirit Evo is ePropulsion’s higher end 3hp electric outboard and has all of the great features of the Spirit 1.0 Plus, with some additional features as well:
- Hydrogeneration: When the Spirit Evo is mounted on a sailboat, the user is able to charge the motor’s battery while sailing. Simply leave the motor down, and as your sails push your boat through the water, the Spirit Evo’s propeller will spin and charge its battery.
- Remote Throttle Capability: The Spirit Evo can be used with a tiller or a remote throttle. Unlike the Spirit 1.0 Plus, the displays on the Evo tiller and remote throttle are backlit. The remote throttle can be wired to the electric outboard or connected to it via Bluetooth. The Spirit Evo can be centered and locked in place with a pin, which works well for sailors who can then use their boat’s rudder to steer. The Spirit Evo can also be hooked up to a steering wheel.
- Remote Safety Wristband: In lieu of using a standard kill switch that is physically attached to the boat’s operator, the Spirit Evo is compatible with a remote safety wristband that is worn like a watch. If the wristband gets too far away from the motor or senses submersion in water in the event of a man overboard, the motor will stop running. Up to eight wristbands can be connected to one motor to protect everybody onboard.
Should I buy the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus or the ePropulsion Spirit Evo?
For most of our customers, the Spirit 1.0 Plus meets their needs. It’s a great fit for dinghies and Jon boats. Most of our customers who choose the Spirit Evo over the Spirit 1.0 Plus do so because of the remote throttle feature. If the remote throttle would be useful to you, the Spirit Evo is likely your best choice. If you don’t expect to use the remote throttle feature, the Spirit 1.0 Plus is likely your best choice.
Where are ePropulsion motors manufactured?
ePropulsion motors are manufactured in China by ePropulsion.
Do ePropulsion electric boat motors come with a warranty?
Yes, all ePropulsion electric outboards, electric inboards, and electric pod drive motors come with warranty, which is two years for most products. ePropulsion offers an additional year of warranty protection on some motors if you register your motor with ePropulsion.
How long do ePropulsion Spirit batteries last?
ePropulsion Spirit batteries are rated for at least 500 cycles at 80% depth of discharge (DoD). This means that you should expect to be able to use your ePropulsion Spirit at least 500 times, running the battery from 100% to 20% each time. Most users will find that they use less than 80% of the battery each outing, and can thus expect more than 500 cycles.
All lithium batteries degrade over time, losing about 1% to 3% of their capacity each year. There are a number of factors that can impact the lifespan of your ePropulsion battery, but if you take good care of it, you can expect to get about 7 years of useful life from the battery. After about 7 years, the battery will likely still be usable, but will have significantly less capacity than it did when it was new. At this point, you can purchase a new battery.
How do I maximize the lifespan of my ePropulsion Spirit battery?
There are a number of factors that can impact the lifespan of your ePropulsion Spirit battery, which include:
- Typical depth of discharge (DoD): If you regularly run your battery below 20%, it will decrease the lifespan of your ePropulsion Spirit battery. Once you reach 20% state of charge (SOC), we recommend charging your battery. You can always purchase a second ePropulsion Spirit Battery if you need more range.
- Charging habits: Generally speaking, it is best to allow your battery to run down to between 50% to 20% SOC before charging it. If you regularly charge your battery after using just, 10%, 20% or 30% of its charge, it will reduce the lifespan of your ePropulsion Spirit battery.
- Temperature: Avoid storing your battery in below freezing temperatures. ePropulsion recommends storing your Spirit battery in a dry location with an ambient temperature between 59°F and 77°F. The temperature range for charging your Spirit Battery is 32°F to 113°F and the temperature range for discharging your Spirit Battery is -4°F to 140°F. Charging, discharging and storing your ePropulsion Spirit battery within moderate temperatures within the ranges above will help maximize the battery’s lifespan.
- Winter Storage: Before storing your battery for the winter, charge it to over 60%. The battery will slowly discharge until it hits 60%. When the battery has not been used in a while and hits 60% charge, it will go into deep sleep mode. In deep sleep mode, the battery self discharges more slowly than normal. To wake it up in the Spring, simply plug the battery into the charger. It is recommended that you plug in the battery once every three months when not in use in order to check the state of charge. If it has fallen below 60%, repeat the step above. If you store your battery for a long period of time with less than 60% charge, it may self discharge to 0%. If the battery deeply discharges to a true zero percent charge, it is not able to be recovered and you will need to purchase a new Spirit battery.
Do ePropulsion batteries really float?
Yes, the ePropulsion Spirit battery really does float- check out our video test! We’ve tested it ourselves. Other ePropulsion batteries do not float.
Do ePropulsion electric outboards need regular maintenance? How does the maintenance on an electric outboard compare to a combustion outboard?
Electric outboards, including ePropulsion electric outboards, need very little regular maintenance. The most important thing that you need to do to keep your electric outboard in good condition is rinsing it with fresh water after use in salt water. During in-season use, it’s important to spray electrical contacts with a very small amount of WD40 about once each month. Make sure that you use the caps for the ends of the cables and ports on the Spirit battery when they are not plugged in. Just like all gas outboards, ePropulsion outboards have zinc anodes that need to be replaced once they have worn down. Unlike combustion outboards, there is no winterization required (although you do need to store your battery properly, as described above). There are no oil changes, no fuel filters, and no spark plugs. It is much, much easier to maintain an electric outboard compared to a combustion outboard!
Are ePropulsion outboards ok to use in salt water?
Yes, all ePropulsion outboards are designed for use in salt water. ePropulsion uses high-quality aluminum alloy as the base material and applies anodizing coating and powder coating on top of it. ePropulsion outboards have zinc anodes that can be replaced as needed. You can find ePropulsion Spirit anodes in our online store.
How do I figure out the right shaft length for my ePropulsion outboard?
In short, the shaft length you need depends on the transom height of your boat. The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus is available in extra short, short and long shaft, and the ePropulsion Spirit Evo and ePropulsion Navy Evo series are available in short or long shaft. Please take a look at ePropulsion’s shaft length guide to figure out which shaft length you need. Please note that shaft lengths of electric outboards are measured differently than combustion outboards, so it is important to double check to see which shaft length is ideal for your boat.
Are ePropulsion outboards compatible with third party batteries?
Yes, although we recommend using ePropulsion outboards with ePropulsion batteries.
Do I have to mount the ePropulsion Spirit Battery on top of my ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus or ePropulsion Spirit Evo?
No, you can purchase a power extension cable and store the battery elsewhere. You can also purchase a motor cowling to keep your Spirit outboard looking good!
How do I charge the ePropulsion Spirit battery? Does the Spirit battery need to be connected to Spirit electric outboard to charge?
The Spirit battery does not need to be connected to the Spirit outboard in order to charge. You can charge your Spirit battery with a regular outlet using the 110v AC standard charger or 110v AC fast charger. The Spirit battery can also be charged with a solar panel using ePropulsion’s Spirit battery solar charge controller, or with a 12 volt charger. A standard 110v charger is included with the purchase of a Spirit 1.0 Plus or Spirit Evo electric outboard.
Can I power the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus or Spirit Evo with an external battery?
Yes, you’ll need an external battery cable. ePropulsion recommends using their 48v E-Series batteries if you need more range. If you’d like to keep your motor looking good without the Spirit battery mounted on top, you can purchase a motor cowling. You can also purchase a second ePropulsion Spirit battery if you need more range.
What is the difference between the Travel 603, 1103, Travel S and Travel XP?
The Travel 603 (2hp) and Travel 1103 (3hp) are the previous generation of Torqeedo Travel electric outboards. They have been discontinued after Torqeedo announced their new Travel series in late 2023. As of this writing (January 2024), Travel 603 and 1103 models are still available, but only in short shaft.
The new Torqeedo Travel series does not have a 2hp model. The Torqeedo Travel S is a 1.1kW/3hp electric outboard that is available with a 1080wH battery (essential package) or a 1425wH battery (range package). The Torqeedo Travel XP package is a 1.6kW/5hp electric outboard that is paired with a 1425wH battery.
The new Torqeedo Travel series does not have a 2hp model. The Torqeedo Travel S is a 1.1kW/3hp electric outboard that is available with a 1080wH battery (essential package) or a 1425wH battery (range package). The Torqeedo Travel XP package is a 1.6kW/5hp electric outboard that is paired with a 1425wH battery.
Where are Torqeedo electric outboards manufactured?
Torqeedo electric outboards are made in Germany.
What is your return policy?
Items may be returned at the buyer's expense if they are unused, in original packaging, undamaged and have not been registered for warranty. Items that have been used, including motors that have been in the water, may not be returned. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Are electric outboards safe?
Yes! Modern electric outboards are designed and manufactured by electrical engineers who have safety at top of mind. One of the major risks associated with high capacity battery power is thermal runaway, but an integrated battery management system (BMS) mitigates this risk. Plus, you aren't sitting on top of a big tank of flammable liquid! Most problems with high capacity lithium batteries result from using a battery after it has been physically damaged or using a charger that isn't compatible with that battery. If your battery becomes physically damaged, do not use it until it has been services by a professional. Use only your original charger to charge your battery.
How much do electric outboards cost? Will they be cheaper than a gasoline powered outboard over time?
Electric outboards themselves are actually priced quite similarly to traditional outboards, but the system as a whole becomes more expensive initially because of the cost of the batteries, which typically cost between $500 and $1000 per kilowatt hour (kWh). The initial investment required to purchase an electric outboard system with batteries and a charger is typically between 1.5 to 3 times the cost of a four stroke combustion outboard. After the initial investment, electric outboards have a cheaper cost of ownership given that you won't need to buy gas, winterize your engine or spend much money on other maintenance. Whether or not an electric outboard is cheaper than a combustion outboard in the long run depends on a number of factors, including the frequency of use, cost of electricity and cost of gasoline. At the moment, most electric outboards are more expensive than gas outboards, even when one considers the higher cost of ownership of a combustion outboard. That being said, the cost of electric outboards and batteries is expected to decrease over time, and the cost of fossil fuels and maintenance is expected to increase, so we expect electric outboards to be more price competitive as time goes on.
What horsepower electric outboards are available?
Unlike internal combustion engines, the power output of electric outboards is measured in kilowatts (kW) not horsepower (HP), but given that we're all used to thinking about outboards in terms of HP, electric outboard manufacturers will always give a HP rating. Check out our blog post on the difference between HP and kW if you'd like to learn more. The electric outboards currently to market in the US range from very small trolling motors to 100hp. Companies in Europe such as Evoy are manufacturing even larger electric outboards, up to 400hp.
How long do electric outboard batteries last? How does the range of electric boats compare to combustion outboards?
Boats with traditional gasoline powered outboards will typically have a longer range than those powered by electric outboards. The exact range of a boat with an electric outboard depends on many factors, including the kilowatt rating of the outboard, kilowatt hours of the battery bank on board, characteristics of the hull, number of people on board and the speed at which the boat is operated. In short, gasoline is a lot lighter than lithium batteries, so there are weight limitations when repowering a boat with an electric outboard. Range will continue to improve with battery technology, which will expand the use cases for electric outboards over time. Most electric outboards that are designed with an integrated battery are designed to run for about an hour at full throttle. We aim for about an hour of run time at full speed when we design a high horsepower system, as this tends to be enough boaters. Range can be extended by adding more batteries, but cost and weight limitations typically come into play here.
Do electric outboards require regular maintenance?
Compared to traditional outboards, electric outboards need very little regular maintenance. For most electric outboards, regular maintenance is limited to spraying off the electric outboard with fresh water after use and keeping the electrical contacts clean. Electric outboards do not need to be winterized, but it is important that their batteries are stored properly when not in use and in cold weather. Just like combustion outboards, electric outboards have sacrificial anodes that need to be replaced when they begin to wear away.
How long does it take to charge an electric outboard? How do I charge an electric outboard?
It is a little bit different for each manufacturer, but generally electric boats can be charged by plugging the outboard or battery into a charger that's connect to a 110v or 220v outlet.
- Pure Watercraft has a propriety charger that can plug into a 110v or 220v outlet. The power cable that connects the motor to the battery is unplugged from the electric outboard and then plugged into the charger. It takes about three hours to charge one of Pure Watercraft's 9kWh battery packs on 220v and about six hours on 110v.
- Flux Marine's electric outboards plug into a common electric vehicle charger. It takes us about nine hours to charge our ~20kWh Flux Marine battery pack using an EV charger that plugs into a regular 110v outlet, but just three hours with our Level 2 SPAN EV charger. Flux Marine electric outboards can also be charged extremely quickly by DC fast chargers.
- ePropulsion Spirit electric outboards can be charged with the 110v standard charger (8.5hrs), 110v fast charger (3.5hrs), 12v charger or solar charge controller.
- Torqeedo Travel motors can be charged with a 110v charger, 12v charger or solar charge controller.
- Elco electric outboards can be charged with solar panels or with a 110v battery charger.
Where can I buy an electric outboard in the US?
We are a dealer for Torqeedo, ePropulsion and Elco. Many of their electric outboards are available in our online store. Pure Watercraft, Flux Marine, and Vision Marine technologies also produce electric outboards for sale in the US.
What use cases work well for electric outboards and what use cases do not?
Boaters who use their boats travel short distances or at low speeds are great candidates for repowering with an electric outboard. Inshore recreational and commercial fishing, coach boats for sailing and rowing, yacht tenders and pontoon boats generally work well with electric outboards. Boats that currently have outboards over 100hp can repower with electric, but the boat will go slower. Boats that currently have outboards under 100hp can expect their boat to perform similarly with an electric outboard. People who use their boats to fish offshore or travel long distances on a regular basis aren't great candidates for an electric outboard repower at this time. Please check out our blog to learn more about various use cases for electric boats!
What is the electric outboard installation process like? How long does it take?
Once we have your new electric outboard and batteries on hand, installation typically takes a few days! We'll remove your old outboard from the transom of your boat and switch it out with the electric outboard. We'll find the best location on board to install your batteries and run the cabling between them. Your old throttle and gauges will be removed and replaced with the new equipment, and we'll take care of any fiberglass work necessary to smooth it all out! One of our electricians will wire any onboard solar as well as a charger at your marina, home or dock. Finally, one of our licensed captains will take you out on the bay and show you how to use your new electric boat!