This electric flying boat just became the first of its kind
Published on Jul 12, 2023 at 1:49 PM (UTC+4)
by Adam Gray
Last updated on Jul 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
We knew electric flying cars were a thing, but didn’t know an electric flying boat existed.
Well, this is it – the SpiritBARTech35EF.
Its name might be a bit of a mouthful, but apparently it’s the first with a fast cruising range of 100 nautical miles.
READ MORE! This superboat has 2700hp and its body is made from 100% carbon fiber
The vessel has been developed by Spirit Yachts and engineering firm Bar Technologies.
Its fully electric powertrain comes from a company called Equipmake.
According to the UK-based firm’s website, it offers electrification solutions for the automotive, aerospace, mining, off-highway, bus, coach, and marine industries.
What’s more, the company is led by former F1 engineer Ian Fole.
The aforementioned bespoke powertrain comprises a lightweight HPM-400 electric motor which has an output of 107 horsepower.
It’s got an integrated gearbox, an HPI-450 IGBT inverter, and a battery pack with a capacity of 120 kWh, too.
The electric flying boat measures 35 feet and tips the scales at 1 tonne (2,205 lbs).
This is largely in part due to its carbon fiber reinforced shell, and a mixture of titanium and cold-molded wood used in its construction.
The SpiritBARTech35EF has three retractable foils to minimize drag, allowing a top speed of 28 knots (32 mph / 52 km/h).
As mentioned previously, the electric flying boat has a range of 100 nautical miles, which translates to 115 miles or 185.
This can be achieved at a high speed of 22 knots (25 mph / 41 km/h).
By comparison, the Candela C-8 electric speed boat, which uses a much smaller 69 kWh Polestar-sourced battery pack, has a range of 57 nautical miles (66 miles / 106 km).
Apparently, the electric marine market was worth $5.64 billion in 2022 and is estimated to be worth $16.6 billion by 2030.
Following their first project togtherm, Equipmake and BAR Technologies said thet are “exploring further opportunities to collaborate”.
So, watch this space for potentially even more electric flying boats.
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Adam Gray is an experienced freelance motoring journalist and content creator based in the United Kingdom. Using his media accreditation with manufacturers’ press offices, Adam test drives the latest cars and attends new vehicle press launches, producing written reviews and news pieces for a variety of lifestyle and business publications. Here at Supercar Blondie, Adam applies his journalistic skills penning social-first content around current news and trends. When he’s not behind the wheel of the latest car or writing up another viral story, Adam can be found at his local rink playing ice hockey or at the Riverside Stadium supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC.
