Elco Motor Yachts, a leader in electric propulsion, today announced a project with the New York State Canal Corporation (“Canal Corporation”), the organization which oversees and maintains the extensive New York State Canal System. Two Elco EP-10000 motors, which each generate roughly the same power as a 100 hp diesel engine, will be installed in a Canal Corporation work boat to compare the system’s performance to the baseline diesel engine. The project was made possible by funding jointly provided by two New York state organizations.
“Our partnership with Elco Motors will enable us to examine how we can better integrate eco-friendly technology into our canal boats,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “Incorporating environmental stewardship into all projects is a strategic goal of the Canal Corporation, and with the decades of service that we must leverage from our fleet, the longer life and maintenance cycle of these motors is something we are excited about.”
The announcement comes amid a global focus on reducing emissions and utilizing sustainable energy sources. The European Union’s e-habours project concentrates on three objectives, which include increasing the use of renewable energy in harbor cities and increasing the use of electric transportation. Many European harbor cities are working to achieve these goals in innovative ways. For instance, the Municipality of Amsterdam has been incentivizing electric boating by creating a recharging infrastructure for pleasure boats and by discounting electric boats’ mooring fees by 50 percent.
In the U.S., states like New York are providing funding to explore alternative energy and eco-friendly transportation options. Nationally, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) makes federal and state grants available for lowering diesel emissions and pollution. A wide variety of vehicles and machines, including marine engines, are eligible for the grants. While very few of these grants have gone to marine applications, Elco CEO Steve Lamando believes the EP-10000 will change this.
“Up until the EP-10000, there were no electric motors for boats that require 75 – 125 hp,” explains Lamando. “Now they have a viable electric power source that can handle a heavy workload while keeping the air and water clean.”
Elco EP motors are installation-ready and come complete with everything needed, including battery charger. Elco offers a full line of EP motors, suitable for powering sailboats, launches and catamarans from 15' to 85'.
