Development of an electric day boat concept: A product development project to explore the potential of electric day boats

Abstract

As a result from the increasing popularity of electric cars together with the need of work ing for a sustainable marine leisure industry, electric boats has gained a foothold in the world of boating. Nimbus Group being a leading boat manufacturer in northern Europe and working for sustainable boating has developed some electric boats and are continuing exploring the potential of electric boats. That is were this development project began with the purpose to create a concept for day boat use. The main objectives was to create a boat with functional design, decent performance and environmental benefits compared to equal combustion driven boats. An extensive study was conducted prior of developing concepts. It involved a research of competitors on the electric boat market and propulsion systems. To identify the market segments and customer needs a study was conducted through interviews and a survey tar geted at Nimbus Groups main markets. The study served as a guidance of were to head with the concept development. Concepts were developed in a systematic process combining different components into concepts. The concepts were then screened out in different phases based on requirements and customer need criterions. After one concept had been decided for further develop ment it was taken into a detailed design process resulting in a 3D model and renderings. The concept was then evaluated environmentally and economically against an equal com bustion driven boat and other electric boats. The results showed that electrical boats does pay off environmentally during its lifetime even at average day boating use. It also shows that from an economical perspective and average day boat usage it is not beneficial to buy an electric boat, however it is beneficial if usage is increased.