Australia’s Genevo Marine is gearing up for the 2024 launch of its first model, the 8.2-metre luxury motor yacht E8.

The company, founded by Damon Rahmate and Andrew Davey, who have a combined 30 years’ experience in the Solar photovoltaic (PV), Energy Storage, EV charger and marine industries, claims the E8 is Australia’s first home-grown high-powered electric boat.

The E8 was designed by superyacht designer Misha Merzliakov and will be built by composite boat builder, Dan Williams of Mahi Boats, at the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard on the Gold Coast.

Three years in design development, the E8 will employ a proprietary recycled carbon fibre composite hull design. Genevo Marine says it is working with Deakin University on recycled carbon fibre materials testing, and there are plans to source the recycled carbon fibre raw materials from a newly planned aerospace carbon fibre recycling plant in Australia.

“Designing an electric boat entails some deep consideration and analysis around hull efficiencies and weight distribution,” says Rahmate.

“The E8’s meticulous design process, high-performance electric drive train and high energy density battery pack will ensure a generous range of around 50 nautical miles at 25 knots or in excess of 100 at cruising speeds.”

Davey continues: “While we’ve engineered a considerable amount into the overall efficiency, concerns around range anxiety are countered with the fact that the average recreational boat user travels 10km or less in each trip. The E8 model will be capable of covering approximately 10 times this distance at top speed!”

GENEVO MARINE E8

Genevo Marine will be rolling out a fast-charging network at strategic marinas nationwide to support its fleet and meet the growing electric boat demand.

Genevo Marine’s fast-charging network will operate as an ancillary business arm to its electric boat manufacturing to support its growth.

“Our charging technology has the capability to satisfy fast charging to both electric boats and EVs, and our technology partner is the world leader in dockside chargers,” says Rahmate.

“The satellite fast charge pedestals offer a distinct advantage for dockside chargers over other manufacturers, being slimline, compact and proven in harsh marine environments. They are also more easily scaled up in dockside environments, which will be important as the number of electric vessels on the water increases.

“Genevo Marine will be unique in acting as our own hardware service partner and installer, similar to Tesla’s own Super Charger network, thereby cutting out the requirement for third party providers and their inherent delays,” he continues.

“It’s vitally important that we own and service our own network and minimise the downtime delays that have dogged some of the EV charging networks.”

According to Davey, the E8’s onboard charging technology is compatible with existing EV fast chargers, making it feasible to charge dockside or also while on trailer at standard roadside EV networks.

“Fast charging also greatly reduces charge times, meaning that people can get out there and enjoy the water. The E8 will also feature domestic charger capability, enabling owners to charge from their solar systems at home for free,” he says.

The E8 will be the first of Genevo’s models with more to follow. Sitting in the day-boat category, the E8 is pitched at families, avid fishing enthusiasts and the superyacht tender market.

The vessel has a powerful 400kW electric drive train and 132kWh Lithium-ion battery.

“Fuel cost reductions are obviously a significant advantage, but the real game-changer is the huge offset in running costs with electric motors; they only have about 1 per cent of the moving parts compared to petrol engines, so they just don’t require the same maintenance regimes,” says Davey.

“Additionally, a 1kW solar array on the canopy will power the boat’s on board Garmin, Polk audio entertainment and cooling systems.”

The team from Genevo expects production to begin in mid-2024 and the first units will be available for inspection and sea trials by the end of the year.

Images courtesy of Genevo Marine.

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