The Power of Vision for Electric Boats- How one CEO made it Happen

      


With the Electric Boats Market projected to be a $16.6 Billion Market by 2031, according to Cleantechnia.com, this is a podcast worth listening to.   

 Disclosure: This Podcast is a paid for sponsored content.  

Alexandre, who has been in the marine industry for 25 to 30 years, discusses his company, Vision Marine Technology, which was founded in 2002. The company initially built small electric boats for rental operations and hotels, producing over 3,000 units. In 2014, they began developing an inboard electric high voltage system that could reach speeds of 40 to 42 miles per hour and perform water skiing.  

They partnered with major marine parts suppliers and used McLaren for testing and engineering. Today, Vision Marine Technology builds 50 to 60 small electric boats annually and offers their technology to other boat manufacturers. They have completed 21 integrations on different types of boats and won awards. The system is efficient, quiet, and fast, and can be recharged using shore power.   Cali and Alexandre discuss the success of their electric powertrain, which set a new speed record for 2022 and 2023. Alexandre explained that the team built a regular boat with electric outboards and achieved a speed of 116 miles per hour, surpassing the previous record. He emphasized the importance of hands-on testing and development, and the potential for other manufacturers to join the electric boating market. Alexandre also mentioned that they are currently the only company in the marine space with a comparable product, but welcomed competition from established brands like Mercury, Honda, and Suzuki.  

Alexandre talks about the benefits of electric outboards for small waterways and short trips, highlighting their cost-effectiveness and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional ice engines. He noted that electric outboards have less vibration, fewer moving parts, and a lower fuel cost, with a full charge costing about $5.   He also mentions that electric outboards require less maintenance, with the only necessary change being a glycol fluid every 1,000 hours.   He reports on the company's expansion into the pontoon market, highlighting six different integrations with various brands. He noted that the market is huge, particularly in lakes where fuel stations are scarce, and that the company now offers small electric boats and pontoons with their system installed.   Alexandre also shares the importance of partnerships with manufacturers, enabling the company to sell fully integrated products.  

He reveals plans to offer at least 20 different types of product offerings with their system in the next few weeks.   When asked about the current product offerings through Vision Marine, he responds that “they have three brands of pontoons with about 60 different models and four types of smaller boats, all built in Montreal and sea certified.”    Alexandre discusses the technological advancements and competitive edge of their marine parts certified engine and battery charging system. He highlights the system’s high voltage, amperage, and cooling capabilities, which enable heavy boating in warm environments without overheating issues.    

He also discusses the company's financial situation, including a recent rollback to meet NASDAQ compliance and their current cash position.   He expresses optimism about the future of electric boating, predicting a potential doubling of sales from the previous year. The company plans to participate in 10 to 12 boat shows and is working on finalizing agreements with third-party suppliers.    

 About Vision Marine Technologies Inc.   Vision Marine Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: VMAR) is a pioneer in electric boating, recognized for its innovative E-Motionâ„¢ Electric Marine Powertrain Technology that offers a superior, zero-emission boating experience. With proprietary, turn-key