Pure Watercraft, a Seattle-based electric watercraft firm, has received a 25% stake from General Motors. GM’s decision shows a growing interest in all things electric, including boats and other vehicles, and is part of the automaker’s $35 billion plan to invest in electric and autonomous technology by 2025.
Pure Watercraft produces Pure Outboard all-electric outboard motor systems that can be used as a drop-in replacement for boats with a 25 to 50 horsepower gas-powered motor. In addition, the company has formed partnerships with major boat manufacturers to market complete electric boats, which include a pontoon barge, fishing boat, and two rigid inflatable boats.
In comparison to gas engines, Pure Watercraft claims that its electric systems require no maintenance and emit no emissions. The range is also likely to fit a wide range of consumer needs — according to the company’s website, Pure Outboard could handle a nearly four-hour, 20-mile fishing trip with 15% charge left over.
Last September, the company received a $23 million Series A lead by L37 to start production, nine years after CEO Andy Rebele launched the company. The two businesses will co-develop and commercialize battery technology as a result of GM’s recent investment, “integrating GM technology into a number of applications,” the automaker stated in a statement.
This is only the latest indication that electric technologies are beginning to make inroads into transportation and mobility categories that have hitherto been dominated by traditional gas engines. Arc, an electric watercraft firm founded ten months ago, has raised $7 million in total finance, including three new investors last month. Zin Boats, a Seattle-based firm, is also working on an electric speedboat.
It’s also a significant move for GM, which is already looking into ways to apply its expertise to other industries such as rail and aircraft. Earlier this year, the business teamed up with Wabtec to create hydrogen-fueled and battery-powered electric freight locomotives. GM has announced a collaboration with Liebherr-Aerospace to create a hydrogen fuel cell airplane demonstration system.
