Torqeedo wins Innovation Award at Miami International Boat Show 

Leading electric outboard manufacturer, Torqeedo, has won the highly prestigious National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) Product Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show, with its 80 horse-power motor, Deep Blue.

This is the second significant award Torqeedo has achieved in only a few months for Deep Blue, which launched in November 2012. Deep Blue was announced as the overall winner of the highly acclaimed Design Award for Marine Equipment (DAME) 2012, the most celebrated design competition for new marine equipment and accessories in the world. The revolutionary Deep Blue is the world’s first industrially produced 80 horse-power electric outboard, powered by batteries adapted specifically for the marine environment.  Commenting on Deep Blue’s strengths, award judge, Nigel Calder, said, “This is a fully engineered system from the propeller all the way to the batteries.”

Torqeedo came top in the NMMA’s propulsion category, which included entries from both outboard and inboard engine manufacturers, as well as engine maintenance and propeller products. Dr Christoph Ballin, Torqeedo’s founder and CEO, said, “To have won the two biggest and most recognised industry awards this season – the DAME Award and the NMMA Innovation Award – is something really special for us and legitimises how impressive the Deep Blue system is.

The Deep Blue system has a battery capacity between 26 kWh and 52 kWh and a recommended selling price (excluding batteries) of 17.999, - €. Battery bank prices are dependent on capacity and range from 29.800, - € (26kWh) to 59.600, - € (52 kWh). With Deep Blue being a 325V DC high-voltage system, it is offered to commercial boat users and sold via boat manufacturers where installation is included during production.

For further information on the Deep Blue system or any of Torqeedo’s high-tech electric outboard range, please visit www.torqeedo.com. 

Notes to editors:

Photos: 
http://www.torqeedo.com/press/steve_trkla.jpg
http://www.torqeedo.com/press/nmma_award_logo.jpg

Photo caption: Steve Trkla - General Manager Torqeedo USA

About the NMMA Awards

The awards are organised by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA). The association, which represents the recreational boating industry in North America, and is judged by Boat Writer’s International, recognises products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; and, availability to the consumer.

Torqeedo launches the world’s most powerful production electric outboard

On the same day it’s first presented, the 80 HP electric outboard system “DEEP BLUE” from the Starnberg manufacturer Torqeedo wins the boat industry’s prize for the most important innovation of the year – the DAME Award.

Amsterdam, 13.11.2012

In the boat industry is a household name: The Bavarian based company is recognised as the world’s leading manufacturer of electric outboards, especially in the smaller HP range – up to 8 HP. Now, with a new 80 HP motor, the company is gearing up to support electric mobility in the higher HP ranges. The magnitude of this achievement was recognized today when Torqeedo was awarded the renowned DAME Award: the award for the boat industry’s most important innovation for the coming year.

In their report, the jury praised Torqeedo’s groundbreaking research and development, saying, “In bringing this truly original product to the marine market, DEEP BLUE's designers have achieved a first-class package that offers convenience, price worthiness and performance.”

The jury selected DEEP BLUE from 115 innovations of the marine industry from 25 countries as the overall winner.

According to industry experts, DEEP BLUE is characterised by the typical Torqeedo benefits that are now brought to the higher performance classes: outstanding efficiency giving greater power and range from the limited battery supply together with higher convenience. It features an on-board computer that uses GPS to calculate remaining range and displays travel time and direction to individual waypoints. Finally, it provides greater safety thanks to automotive standards in the battery technology and electrical reliability.

Torqeedo has achieved a special coup by establishing a partnership with Johnson Controls, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers in battery technology. For the DEEP BLUE System, lithium batteries from the automotive industry were developed further for maritime applications. As a result, the DEEP BLUE System’s batteries come with a 9-year capacity guarantee.

Because battery costs are independent of the intensity of usage, Torqeedo is offering the DEEP BLUE system to commercial users. “Commercial users with petrol costs over €4,500 per annum should check whether DEEP BLUE’s meets their speed and range requirements,” says Torqeedo founder and CEO Dr. Christoph Ballin. “If they do, the change from petrol to electric motors could mean these users can start saving money today. The fact that the electric motors are naturally environmentally friendlier and future-oriented, as well as much quieter is a bonus.”

In addition, boat owners on waters where the use of petrol motors is limited or forbidden can rejoice. This small segment (compared to the global market) hardly justifies the industrial development and production, which is why drives that are more or less individually manufactured have dominated up until now. With DEEP BLUE an industrially developed and manufactured product is available to these users with benefits in price-performance ratio, in comfort and safety – because Torqeedo’s DEEP BLUE was developed for these applications, but not only for them.

About Torqeedo DEEP BLUE

• Input power 75 HP (55 kW)
• Comparable petrol outboard (Propulsive power): 80 HP
• Battery capacity: between 26 kWh and 52 kWh
• Recommended selling price for motor system without batteries €17,999
• Battery bank: Price dependent on capacity, between €28,000 (26 kWh) and €56,000 (52 kWh) with capacity guarantee: 9 years after commissioning the remaining capacity equal to at least 80% of the original capacity (provided operator’s manual is followed).

About Torqeedo GmbH:

• Nr. 1 for clean outboards: worldwide market leader in electric outboards.
• Pioneer in e-mobility on water.
• Implements uncompromising high-tech approaches in fascinating, superior products (integrated lithium batteries, ultra-light designs, advanced electronics, etc.)
• Best overall efficiency on the market – unique performance and range are characteristics all Torqeedo outboards.
• Broad product range (varied outboards from 1 to 80 PS, innovative accessories such as solar powered chargers, high-powered lithium batteries.)
• Young, successful company, founded in 2005 in Starnberg, Germany.
• Multiple awards including national and international innovation awards, Deutscher Gründerpreis, 2008 (German Startup awards) and Red Herring Europe Top 100, 2010. In addition, countless renowned awards in the boating industry.
• Torqeedo Products are currently available in over 40 countries and inspire a fan community around the world that is growing daily.
  

Additional information at:www.metstrade.com/mets/innovations-awards/pages/default.aspx

High resolution photos at: www.torqeedo.com/uk/downloads-en/pictures and www.torqeedo.com/press/dame_award_2012.jpg

Joining forces with Torqeedo for the first time, J/Boats is now offering Torqeedo's Travel 1003 electric outboard as optional propulsion on the new J/70 sportboat.  This brand new J/Boats model delivers fast sailing in a stable, easy-to-own fun boat that can be enjoyed by all.

The Travel 1003 can push the 22.7' (7 m)sailboat along at 6 knots. When cruising at 5 knots, it provides an 8-mile (13 km) range on a single battery charge.

"We didn't consider any other electric outboards as we already knew Torqeedo to be the market leader in efficient, lightweight outboards. Weight and performance are important to us," said Jeff Johnstone, president of J/Boats. "Torqeedo's outboards are of excellent quality and deliver excellent performance.  We think the 1003 will be a big hit with J/70 owners, and we look forward to being able to pair future models with Torqeedo."

Comparable to 3 hp and weighing only 31 lbs., the Travel 1003 is great for dinghies, tenders, Jon boats, fishing boats and any other sailboat up to 3,000 lbs.  It can be rigged for remote throttle.  It also features a removable tiller arm. A tiller display shows precise information on battery charge status, remaining range at current speed, speed over ground and power consumption.

The new ramp-launchable keelboat, a first for J/Boats, features a 22' long waterline with high aspect rig and all carbon mast and boom.  This

provides spirited performance and stability that feels like a much larger boat upwind.  The J/70 is the choice of the New York Yacht Club for the NYYC Invitational US Qualifying Series.