BMW works in collaboration alongside maritime company TYDE on THE ICON, which is a premium electric watercraft yacht. It was introduced at Port de Connes and features a geometric structure and elevated hydrofoil design using the iconic BMW i batteries.
It is a small-sized battery-run yacht and refrains from using the combustion engine and relies on a hydrofoil. This decreases aerodynamic drag to be able to reach high speeds on the water. THE ICON is powered by two 100 kW electric motors that convert energy behind the scenes from six aforementioned BMW i3 batteries into a range of more than 50 nautical miles. The boat itself measures 13.15 meters and boasts a top speed of 30 knots.
Image Credit: BMW, TYDE
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Electric Yachts
- Developing electric yachts that use hydrofoil design are increasingly sought after by premium and luxury markets.
- Hydrofoil Design
- Hydrofoil design boats are becoming popular as a way to improve speed and maneuverability on the water while reducing emissions.
- Battery Storage Solutions
- Innovative battery storage solutions, like those used by BMW, provide opportunities for improved range and efficiency for electric watercraft.
Sectors Adopting This
- Maritime
- The maritime industry could benefit from adopting electric and hydrofoil technology for more efficient and eco-friendly watercraft.
- Luxury
- The luxury market presents an opportunity for electric yacht manufacturers to develop high-end and premium products with improved environmental sustainability.
- Automotive
- The automotive industry, particularly those with experience in developing EV technology, can branch out into electric yacht manufacturing or collaborate with established yacht companies such as BMW and TYDE.
