Norwegian electric boat pool operator Kruser AS has announced the addition of a high speed electric boat sharing offering to its members, adding its new Premium boats capable of a top speed of 40 knots.
The Premium membership offering gives access to Hydrolift’s E-22 model, which is adapted to run with Evoy electric outboards. According to Kruser, the boats are estimated to be able to run for one hour at 23 knots and for more than seven hours at 5 knots. The company describes its Premium offering as a perfect alternative for those who want higher speed than its Komfort boats.
According to Kruser, the move follows its successful investment in electric boat pools established in Oslo and Bærum in 2020. It says all memberships were quickly sold out, and is responding to the level of interest by establishing itself at several locations in 2021, with electric boats to also be available in Asker, Moss and Bergen.
Kruser says that 90% of members have said they will continue with the electric boat sharing following the summer pilot. It also received many requests for a faster model.
In a company announcement, Kruser general manager Christer Ervik commented: “We experience Hydrolift as forward-looking, future- and solution-oriented. And they share our thoughts on eco-friendly boating experiences. We are therefore looking forward to receiving 10 Hydrolift E-22 that are tailor-made for us.”
The E-22 is based on Hydrolift’s X-22 model. The boats will be powered by an electric outboard from Evoy equivalent to 150hp.
According to the announcement, Evoy will supply a total package that includes the motor, battery and charger, with performance optimised through Evoy’s control system, which also has a direct connection to its Over-The-Air (OTA) cloud solution with. Evoy’s new ‘Gale Force Series’ outboard system will be launched in the second quarter of 2021 and work is now being done on completion and testing. Kruser and their customers will be among the first to experience these systems, the announcement adds.
Bård Eker, CEO of Hydrolift, comments in the announcement: “Hydrolift is proud to support Kruser in the boat pool initiative. We believe we reach new customer segments in this way and find it exciting to serve new boat customers.”
The initiative is supported by Enova, a state-owned enterprise that works with the transition to a low-emission society, which is providing just over NOK 3.4 million (€330,000). According to Kruser, as the boats will be part of a boat pool, the service life of each will be so high that the project qualified for Enova’s support scheme for electrification of vessels.