Australia’s first electric boat the Genevo E8 should begin construction early next year.
The Australian-designed electric motor yacht Genevo E8 is going into the Equity Crowd Funding phase.
“The design is finalised, material selection and supply agreements are in place, and we are ready to start building in early 2025,” says co-founder and director Damon Rahmate.
Rahmate and business partner Andrew Davey have a combined 30 years’ experience in the solar photovoltaic (PV), energy storage, EV charger and marine industries.
Both life-long boaties and surfers, they are developing Australia’s first high-powered electric boat the 8.2-metre Genevo E8 designed by Misha Merzliakov and which will be built by composite boat builder Dan Williams on the Gold Coast.
“The drivetrain will be integrated here in Australia and it will be the first to market in Australia,” Rahmate says, adding Defence procurement agencies have also been in contact.
In Europe, an agency is interested in using the E8 as a pilot vessel, he says.
“Genevo Marine is working with the University of NSW on an advanced recycled carbon fibre and the E8 will be integrated with some recycled carbon fibre material and increase over time,” says Rahmate.
Genevo has been accepted into the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program which paves the way for potential grant funding.
“The aim is to exhibit at boat shows starting with the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May,” says Rahmate.
The launch edition Genevo E8 is likely to be priced around A$450,000 and include a 1kw solar PV system on the canopy, cork decking, 400kW electric motor and 132kWh battery capable of a more than 30knot top speed and 45 nautical mile range at 10-15 knots.
Fast charging will take two hours, or overnight on an at home unit, and owners can recharge at public car chargers.
Genevo Marine intends rolling out its own fast-charging network in collaboration with Kempower at strategic marinas.
The 1kW solar array on the canopy will power the boat’s on board Garmin, Polk audio entertainment and cooling systems, while the E8 will offer a comprehensive telemetric system to remotely monitor each onboard system for ongoing after-sales support and over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
