Volvo Penta to launch electric IPS for commercial market

Volvo Penta announced plans to release a new electric marine propulsion system based on its IPS platform, with the first models scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of 2025. According to the company, the electric IPS (E) range is being developed specifically for the commercial marine sector.

The electric system will be available in twin, triple, or quadruple configurations. Volvo Penta said the IPS900E model, rated up to 691-hp will be the first to launch, followed by the IPS650E at up to 501-hp. The company aims to electrify all five drivelines in the IPS range, targeting outputs from approximately 295-hp to 1,476-hp per driveline, and up to about 6,000-hp for quad configurations.

In this setup, Volve Penta noted the electric motor is directly coupled to the existing IPS driveline. The system will retain existing IPS features such as forward-facing propulsion, joystick driving, dynamic positioning, autopilot, and assisted docking. These features are managed through Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system.

“We have built up strong expertise based on 20 years of efficient operation with more than 40,000 Volvo Penta IPS drivelines in operation, as well as recent successful market pilots in marine electrification,” says Anna Müller, president of Volvo Penta. “Our aim with this new range is to deliver a plug and play electric propulsion solution, keeping the uniqueness of our core competence, but also designed to scale together with 3rd party integrators.”

Volvo Penta said the new system will include a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Energy Management System (EMS), allowing operators to switch between pure electric, hybrid electric, and hybrid fuel drive modes. The EMS also manages system diagnostics and energy optimization.

The company said it also offers a range of marine generator sets, both fixed- and variable-speed, which can act as a primary power source or be used to extend battery life. According to Volvo Penta, these generators are designed to provide redundancy and help balance engine hours across a vessel’s power systems. If one generator is offline, others in the system can continue supplying power.

In addition to working with third-party integrators, Volvo Penta said it can deliver full electric or hybrid propulsion systems through its subsidiary ZEM. These systems include electric propulsion, generator sets, energy storage, and the EMS, the company said.

The electric IPS range follows the release of hybrid electric (H) solutions introduced by Volvo Penta earlier in 2024. The company said it is developing these systems to provide scalable, fit-for-purpose options for a variety of operational profiles in commercial marine applications.