Integrel Solutions, active in the marine power and propulsion field, has announced longtime partner Balance Catamarans will be the first OEM boat builder to adopt its new Integrel e-drive power and propulsion system.
With up to 30kW of power generation and 40hp of electric drive on a multihull, e-drive represents a shift to more environmentally friendly marine propulsion, says Integrel.
Balance Catamarans, manufactured in South Africa, will offer e-drive as an option on all models in its range, thus offering a hybrid electric vessel.
The catamaran company, in the multihull space for more than 12 years, was an early adopter of Integrel’s e-power product. By working together the partners say they refined and perfected the technology and its full integration. The result was up to 18kW of energy generation while optimising fuel consumption, reducing emissions, and minimising noise.
“Being the first to integrate e-drive into the Balance models signifies our long-term commitment to providing owners with the most advanced, eco-friendly options available,” Phil Berman, owner of Balance Catamarans, says.
“Our continued efforts to ‘stay in balance’ in finding solutions that improve overall efficiency in energy generation, and offer cleaner, greener boating both in product evolution and production improvements, has led us to working closely with Integrel Solutions for over five years now. Our focus at Balance is to ensure we align with partners that offer the best innovation in combination with world-class customer care and support.”
“We see ourselves as ‘partners in innovation’, says Trevor Howard, CEO of Integrel Solutions. “The strength of our partnership with Balance means they are a natural fit to install the very first Integrel e-drive unit onboard one of their catamarans. E-drive is set to be game-changing solution that not only reduces emissions and fuel consumption but also provides boat owners with the choice of reducing their environmental impact.”
Installed at the point of manufacture between the engine and gearbox, e-drive accommodates both sail drive and shaft drive configurations. The first Balance Catamaran outfitted with Integrel’s e-drive is set to be completed and launched later this year.
