Today, Molabo, the leading manufacturer of 48-volt high-performance drives, announced that a 25-kilowatt version of its award-winning touch-safe electric drive systems will debut at METSTRADE 2024 in Amsterdam. The new Aries i25 inboard joins the existing 50 kW inboard and outboard drives, which have won the “New Propulsion Technology of the Year” award at the Electric and Hybrid Marine Awards for the last two years.
Designed for boaters seeking a compact, cost-effective solution, this 25 kW system delivers Molabo’s signature safe-to-touch voltage at an accessible price point.
“Aries 48-volt electric drive systems are designed for simplicity and ease of use,” said Adrian Patzak, COO of Molabo GmbH. “Now, naval architects, designers, manufacturers, and boatyards can source a safe, affordable, and easy-to-install high-performance electric option.”
The core of Molabo’s innovation: high performance at low voltage
Building on the success of the existing Aries drives, this new addition offers efficient, eco-friendly power for those who don’t require the full force of a 50 kW system. The new Aries i25 delivers 25 kW of power, high torque, and quick acceleration which can effectively power displacement boats up to 6 tons, sailboats up to 10 meters, and small planing boats up to 6 m. Commercial vessels may benefit from either a fully electric or a hybrid configuration.
“In the past, low-voltage marine drives were limited to 20 kW,” said Patzak. “The core of Molabo’s innovation is our patented ISCAD (Intelligent Stator Cage Drive) technology, which allows us to deliver high outputs of 25 and 50 kW at a touch-safe 48 V.”
Safety first
Molabo’s 48-volt technology offers significant safety advantages over high-voltage systems. Since voltages above 60 volts can be life-threatening, high-voltage systems require special safety measures and certified personnel – increasing both complexity and costs. With Molabo's touch-safe systems, these additional requirements are eliminated. No more lengthy waits to schedule installation, service or maintenance with high-voltage qualified personnel.
Electric boating made easy
The new Aries i25’s power-smart configuration builds on the proven MolaConnect system architecture with a smaller and more economical MolaConnect S Box. Remote service and maintenance are seamless through the MolaLink IoT gateway.
The i25’s modular battery system is built with Victron Energy components. It utilizes safe lithium iron phosphate chemistry, and provides high energy density at an affordable price per kWh. The compact battery modules ease installation and proper weight distribution in even the smallest hulls, with a four-module, 30 kWh battery bank weighing just 208 kg. If needed, the capacity can be flexibly expanded up to 48 kWh to meet individual customer requirements. The benefits of Molabo’s exclusive low-voltage ISCAD technology also extend to the cable sets, which are less susceptible to faults and require less maintenance than high-voltage cables.
“Our clients have been waiting for an economically feasible system to integrate into smaller boats,” said Patzak. “And we delivered.”