Zodiac Nautic and Torqeedo launch fully electric luxury tender

Together with German electric propulsion specialist Torqeedo, Zodiac Nautic has developed the Avon eJET 450, a fully electric tender for the luxury segment. Equipped with Torqeedo’s 55kW Deep Blue electric motor and a modified version of the 30.5kWh lithium-ion battery used in BMW’s i3 electric city car, the eJET gets 90 minutes of range at 23kts or seven hours at 5kts, and achieves a maximum speed of 31kts. The Avon eJET 450 also carries connected capabilities allowing it to be maintained and upgraded directly through the internet. “Avon’s eJET tender marks the arrival of clean and quiet electric mobility in the luxury tender segment,” said Dr Christoph Ballin, co-founder and CEO of Torqeedo. “It’s a gorgeous product and we are proud to support it.” According to Dominique Heber-Suffrin, president of Zodiac Nautic, the new tender solves a number of problems faced by yacht owners, including carrying fuel for tenders, changing oil, reliability issues and maintenance. “Throughout its 120 years of history, Zodiac Nautic and its brands have collectively invented the inflatable boat, the RIB and the inflatable jet tender,” said Heber-Suffrin. “We’re always looking for what will come next in the boating industry and seek the best partners to make that happen. Torqeedo was the clear choice from the get-go on the eJET project.”