Swedish Stunner: Nimbus 27 E-power

There’s been a lot of talk about electric eco-yachts. Stockholm-based Nimbus Boats has actually gone and built one. Not just a little runabout, mind you, but a 27-ft. craft suitable for commercial use. Developed in collaboration with Electroengine AB, the Nimbus 27 E-power has a cruising speed of 22 knots, a top speed of 27 knots, a range of 20 nautical miles at cruising speed, takes 4 hours for a full charge and costs just €5 for a “fill-up”. The lifetime of the batteries is calculated at 3000 charges, or more than 10 years’ use. Nimbus Boats managing director Magnus Andersson claims they are “the first boat builders in the world to take a large, electrically powered boat from the drawing board to the market.”

Of course zero emissions and that kind of efficiency mean more out of pocket up front, but Andersson says the benefits outweigh the costs. “Initially, the price is going to be 30 to 40 percent higher than for an equivalent diesel powered boat,” he concedes, “but because running and maintenance costs are much lower, the Nimbus 27 E-power will, in the long term, be a good buy and good for the environment. By creating a new market and developing the pro-environmental boats of the future we are taking a premeditated risk.” The Nimbus 27 E-power will be built at the Nimbus Boats yards in Mariestad, Storebro and Ryd. If you’re in town shopping for one we’ll be glad to show you the sights (drinks on you).

Tags: 27 e-power, electroengine AB, magnus andersson, nimbus

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 11:39 am and is filed under Marine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.