An electric outboard concept based on Honda technology
Like all marine engine manufacturers, Honda is interested in the electric motorization of boats. The Japanese outboard specialist had remained more than discreet about its work in this field, unlike other major companies such as Mercury or Yamaha. It was therefore with surprise that we discovered, nestled on the Honda Marine stand at the Boot Düsseldorf show, in the middle of boats and internal combustion engines of all sizes, a small electric motor and some batteries.
It is in fact a concept of electric outboard engine intended according to the brand " to foreshadow the future on small powers" . The engine presented is not intended a priori to enter the range in the short term. The manufacturer does not disclose any technical information, whether it is about power, autonomy with its batteries. For Maxence Zacharie, marketing manager for the brand in France: "We must see this as concept cars in the automobile."
Expertise in electric mobility
Presented alongside the Honda outboard engine, the batteries already developed by the manufacturer for land mobility, such as its scooters, should be the basis of the engine manufacturer's proposal. It already has know-how in these markets, which it will now apply to pleasure boating.
No rapid commercialization
Honda Marine is not communicating on the potential availability of its outboard engines on the market for the moment. Information will be released as the year progresses, but the marketing manager suggests that we should see these engines in Europe at the fall boat shows, without expecting a quick sale. "Winter is not a good time for a product launch, as orders for the season are already in place. We shouldn't expect to see Honda's electric motors on the market by next year."
