We know, we know. This sounds like a prank, and trust us, we know all about pulling off the perfect “electric PWC” prank (we’ve done it before). But, as irony would have it, this appears to be the real deal…to a degree. As partners Bell Marine and ID Technology announced first via a YouTube video in 2012, and shortly thereafter in a press release:
“Bell Marine / ID Technology Zeewolde developed their first prototype electric personal watercraft. Following Steve Jobs’ approval of this first model, he ordered the construction of two 100% Electric personal watercrafts for…his new super yacht “Venus.” Without his passion, drive and support this project would never have been realized. We are proud and grateful that we have this project on behalf of him and his wife are allowed to perform and after his death to finish.”
Of course, this announcement came after October 5, 2011, when Jobs succumbed to respiratory arrest following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Prior to his passing, the software and hardware mogol changed the way many of us communicate (and bring The Watercraft Journal to its quarter million annual readers), and potentially impacted the future of the PWC industry.
The “Electric Water Scooter GT E 45kW” as it was known by the engineers involved in the project, the electric PWC is based off a 2012 Sea-Doo GTR 215 and touts a range 30 minutes at full power plus an additional 30 minutes set in ECO mode. In reality, this equates to an average of 1.5 hours of normal operation, with a total 2.5 hour recharge time.
And true to Jobs’ requirements, the GT E 45kw produces zero emissions, runs completely silent and carries no fuel on board, and therefore be stored aboard a ship/yacht. Some very cool items included on the build are the complete retention of all original Sea-Doo iTC features including, iBR (Intelligent Brake System), VTS (Variable Trim System), GPS positioning, Compass, Speed, Lap timer, etc., and the inclusion of an automatic “Limp Mode” when the batteries descend 20-percent capacity. It all adds up to a total weight of 959 pounds.
Specifications:
Based On: ’12 Sea-Doo GTR 215
Engine: Liquid-cooled 45 kW AC 120V
Controller: Liquid-cooled AC 144V 500 Amp
Batteries: Lithium Polymer HP (High Performance)
120 Volt 160Ah (20 kWh) Forced Air Cooled zoals
Specially designed BMS (Battery Management System)
Battery Charger 120 Volt 60 Ah
