Today was an extremely ground-breaking day for the watercraft industry. Free Form Factory Inc., based in Sacramento, California, just unveiled the world’s first electric jet ski. Yes, you read that correctly. Free Form is now taking pre-orders on the Gratis X1 with extra incentives with an estimated delivery date of Fall 2017.
Right now, we know that the drivetrain itself is the same Z-Force drivetrain in the Zero Motorcycles. Every single part of the Gratis X1 is 100% made in America. There is no gas, no exhaust emissions and no noise. The only noise you will hear from the ski is it cutting through the water. The hull and deck are 100% recycled. Sustainability is definitely a huge priority for Free Form. Top speed of the Gratis X1 is 40 knots or 46.03 mph. It will also have 46hp, but the motor will produce massive amounts of instantaneous torque. The ski is chargeable through any standard 110v electric plugs and generators. The range of the charge time for the ski is 1.2 to 4 hours and the ski has a run time of 30-65 minutes. The extra battery pack will get you to closer to the 1 hour run time mark.
Another interesting concept to the Gratis X1 is the Gratis X1 App. This app connects you directly to the Gratis X1 through Bluetooth and is iPhone and Android compatible. Allows you to customize your ride experience and performance, review ride data, state of charge, build your own mobile dash/display and much more. One major thing to point out is that the ski can access any waterway where 2 strokes are banned. This is truly a very unique ski offered by Free Form.
We don’t know much other than what Free Form has posted and what we were told by Free Form Media Director, Rob McCallister. We are in the process of scheduling a more detailed interview for the near future between The Watercraft Journal and Jordan Darling, CEO of Free Form. We are very excited to see how this concept catches on in the industry. For now, here is a run-down of the specs of the two pre-order packages available for purchase.
Ultimate Freedom Package (Purchase of 2 Skis)
- Advanced HULKLITE™ Hull and Deck Polymer Material
- Z-Force® ZF75-5 Permanent Magnet Brushless Liquid Cooled Motor
- Z-Force® ZF6.5 kWh Li-Ion Intelligent Liquid Cooled Power Pack
- On-board charging system
- 1kW Portable Charger
- Lightweight Polymer/Alloy Handle Pole with Integrated Display
- 148mm Magnum Jet Pump with Stainless Steel Impeller
- LCD Backlit Display
- 3 Performance Modes: Sport, Eco, Custom
- Connected Gratis X1 Bluetooth App
- Signature LED Headlights
- Emergency 800 gph automatic bilge system
- Integrated Pelican 1060 Dry Case
- Integrated Fire Extinguisher Compartment *fire extinguisher sold separately
- *Additional Z-Force® ZF3.3 kWh Li-Ion Power Pack sold separately
Price: $35,980.00Â Â *Only 10 Available
Purchase of two Limited Edition Gratis X1s includes:
- Custom personalized graphics package for each Gratis X1 -$400 Value!
- Voucher for a double PWC trailer -$1600 Value!
- Free Form Factory Ultimate Freedom Clothing & Sticker Package -$400 Value!
- Consecutive serial numbers
- Passes for you and two guests to attend the Free Form Factory Launch Party this Summer
Freedom Package (Purchase of 1 Ski)
- Advanced HULKLITE™ Hull and Deck Polymer Material
- Z-Force® ZF75-5 Permanent Magnet Brushless Liquid Cooled Motor
- Z-Force® ZF6.5 kWh Li-Ion Intelligent Liquid Cooled Power Pack
- On-board charging system
- 1kW Portable Charger
- Lightweight Polymer/Alloy Handle Pole with Integrated Display
- 148mm Magnum Jet Pump with Stainless Steel Impeller
- LCD Backlit Display
- 3 Performance Modes: Sport, Eco, Custom
- Connected Gratis X1 Bluetooth App
- Signature LED Headlights
- Emergency 800 gph automatic bilge system
- Integrated Pelican 1060 Dry Case
- Integrated Fire Extinguisher Compartment  *fire extinguisher sold separately
- *Additional Z-Force® ZF3.3 kWh Li-Ion Power Pack sold separately
Price:Â $17,990.00Â Â *Only 25 Available
Purchase of one Limited Edition Gratis X1 includes:
- Custom personalized graphics package -$200 Value!
- Easy-to-load Free Form Factory branded beach cart by Aquacarts -$500 Value!
- Free Form Factory Freedom Clothing & Sticker Package -$200 Value!
- Passes for you and a guest to attend the Free Form Factory Launch Party this Summer
- One of the first 35 serial numbers produced
Advanced hull material and all-electric drivetrain with a short runtime — why is it 380 pounds? It’s about 30 pounds heavier than an 800SXR.
Batteries are not light…BTW, SXRs are over 400 pounds with fuel.
Where is it now? Did this ever happen or did it turn out to be vapourware?
Thus far, the new owner (Free Form was bought out) is still talking about going forward, but simultaneously with an electric runabout, which of course, will slow the final development of the standup until the other unit is ready.