This ‘plug and play’ electric outboard offers unparalleled performance from just 750 watts.
The Avator 7.5e marks Mercury Marine’s debut in the world of electric propulsion and will be the first in a series of electric outboards to be released in 2023. This 750W engine produces the equivalent power of 1hp in fossil fuel terms. However, as electric motors have a flat torque delivery, meaning they can produce maximum torque from zero to full engine speed, power delivery will inevitably be impressive for such a sprightly motor. Mercury claim that it has the acceleration of a Mercury 3.5hp 4-stroke petrol outboard. Using transverse flux motor technology, this engine has an even higher level of torque density than would normally be expected from a 750W electric motor. As a result, it can swing a large-diameter three-blade propeller, providing performance out of proportion to its size. Consequently, Mercury claim that the 7.5e is more efficient than any electrically powered competitor, and that this technology is an industry first for an electric outboard.
The engine has been designed with portability in mind.
Offered with tiller or remote steering, these engines are ideal for powering small boats, tenders and kayaks. Mercury have created an entire propulsion system, fully integrated from the controls through to the props and digital gauges – and there is an all-new mobile app. ‘Innovative ease of use’, ‘swappable batteries’ and a quick-connect mounting system make set-up and operation easy, plus there is a full-colour display showing battery capacity and an estimated range. The battery is mounted within the cowling, though the actual electric motor is situated inside the torpedo housing at the bottom of the outboard leg. The battery can be quickly removed through a hatch in the top of the cowling and is effectively ‘plug and play’ when you come to fit it for use again. If you need additional range, extra batteries can be carried and easily swapped over when needed.
The battery can be easily fitted and removed.
An efficient smart battery charger is included with the engine package, and a 1kWh lithium-ion battery, built exclusively for marine use, has been developed in partnership with Mastervolt – established specialists in this field. This 48V power source has been drop-tested and is IP67 rated for water resistance. A fast charger is under development. The 7.5e sports a quick-connect mounting system and weighs in at under 20kg without battery, the latter weighing 6.6kg. It has been designed for easy carriage ashore with its folding tiller doubling as a carry handle, and for those wanting remotes, it will be available with digital shift controls for small-boat helms.
It links to Mercury’s new marine app.
The 7.5e will soon be followed by the Avator 20e and Avator 35e, which we can suppose will have outputs of 2kW and 3.5kW, respectively.
Each electric outboard is crafted with many components that are recyclable or reusable. The Avator 7.5e is the first propulsion system from Mercury to be compatible with the all-new Mercury Marine app – available for iOS and Android devices. Boaters can access the free app for basic functionality, including a library of tutorials, and the ability to connect with a dealer for support. Adding a Mercury SmartCraft Connect module to the outboard unlocks further advanced features of the app. This includes a GPS map for planning passages and visualized range estimates. The app can also be used to track speed, battery level, outboard hours and system notifications. It is claimed to provide the most complete set of performance data available for any electric outboard.
Related Posts
