What's the Range?

When it comes to electric outboard motors for boats, people appreciate the environmental benefits, ease of use, and responsiveness. They love the ultra-quiet operation and minimal maintenance required. However, despite these advantages, one major concern persists: range anxiety.

Whether it's due to stories from early adopters of electric motors, articles about electric car range limitations, or simply a lack of familiarity with modern lithium-ion batteries, many people hesitate to switch to electric motors because they fear the range is too limited, leaving them stranded on the water.

At boat shows, the most common question we get is, "What's the range?" It's not a simple answer, and it can be challenging to explain all the nuances in a brief conversation. I'll attempt to provide a comprehensive explanation here, but keep in mind that battery technology is constantly evolving, so the situation may change over time.

Planning is Still Essential

The first thing to remember is that electric outboard motors, like their gas-powered counterparts, rely on a limited energy supply. In the case of an electric motor, this energy isn't a physical substance that burns, smells, or pollutes, but it's still finite and must be managed carefully.

Over the years, I've run out of gas on the water more times than I'd like to admit. Each time, I was either towed back to the marina or received a few gallons of gas from a tow service or a helpful boater.

The rule of thirds is a common guideline among boaters: use one-third of your fuel to reach your destination, one-third to return, and keep one-third in reserve. This rule also applies to electric outboards, highlighting the importance of proper planning.

Of course, if your plans change or your calculations are off, recharging an electric motor takes longer than refuelling a gas motor. However, using a fast charger can help mitigate this delay. While we recommend having a fast charger on hand for emergencies, it's best not to rely on it regularly, as frequent fast charging can reduce battery life.

How Does the Range of an Electric Motor Compare to a Petrol Motor?

A typical 3.5 hp four-stroke gas motor has a 1.1L fuel tank, providing about 50 minutes of full-throttle operation. In comparison, a Spirit 1.0 Plus or Evo electric motor offers 75 minutes of runtime at full throttle. While you can add an external fuel tank to a gas motor, you can also extend the range of an electric motor with an additional battery. Thanks to the higher energy density of lithium batteries, a smaller and lighter battery can provide more range than an external fuel tank.
In summary, just like with a gas motor, your range with an electric motor depends on how much energy you bring along.

So, What’s the Range?

Answering this question isn't straightforward, as range depends on various factors: battery size, travel speed, wind conditions, water currents, boat hull shape, weight, and more. It's similar to asking, "How long is a piece of string?"

What we can estimate is how long you can operate an electric outboard with different battery sizes. The actual distance you'll travel will depend on the factors mentioned above, but here are some examples. For instance, an eLite motor can run for 45 minutes at full throttle. A Spirit 1.0 Plus will run for 80 minutes at full throttle. But If you reduce hull speed by half, you could quadruple your run time range. This is more than sufficient for a full day of stop-start fishing.

Electric Outboard Motor Use Cases

It's important to remember that eLite and Spirit models are designed to be the primary propulsion for small pleasure craft. So you won't be planing your boat with an eLite or Spirit electric motor.

While it's possible to have an electric outboard with the power output you need to plane, the cost increases significantly with the batteries, making it harder to justify compared to a gas motor.

Small electric motors are ideal for small boats like tenders, dinghies, RIBs, kayaks, jon boats, and other small fishing boats. They are also well-suited for small to medium-sized sailboats (up to 1.5 tonne).

These motors are perfect for tasks like ship-to-shore travel, fishing, navigating in and out of marinas, and use on electric-only lakes—situations where long range and high speed are not typically necessary.