Torqeedo powers the BBC

Market leader in the growing electric propulsion industry, Torqeedo, has worked with the BBC for powering its Natural History Documentary team in the Amazon, filming pink river dolphins in the water and jaguars from afar, presented by Sir David Attenborough.

The BBC contacted Torqeedo at the end of 2014 in preparation to start filming its latest “Planet Earth II” series, hosted in the jungle, filming mysterious animals in their natural habitats. However, a main concern was the need to preserve the  environment, without the worry of disturbing the animals with noisy motors or polluting their settings. Torqeedo recommended its popularTravel 1003 model, rechargeable batteries and a solar panel for charging in the field.

Providing impressive performance with the simplicity of a low maintenance and low voltage system, the crew were able to get up close and personal with the pink river dolphins and film them peacefully in their natural habitats. Having almost silent power for their boats ensured they could get even closer to the animals, without disturbing or distressing them.

Tom Crowley, part of the BBC Natural History Unit for the Planet Earth II series, comments on the Torqeedo engines, saying, “We were keen to get as close to the animals in their natural environment as possible, but their wellbeing and safety will always come first. Using Torqeedo’s electric motors ensures we can protect and preserve their habitat, whilst getting closer than we’ve been before. The Travel 1003 model was so easy and simple to use, and allowed us to concentrate on the most important factor – filming these gorgeous creatures.”

The BBC team also used the Torqeedo motors to film jaguars in Brazil, from their boat in the river. This allowed the team to remain with the animals longer as they weren't disturbed from their natural behaviour by the sounds of the motor.

Electric outboards are easy to lift, stow and carry, almost silent in use and extremely cheap to run. With vastly improved battery technology, the cleanliness, reliability and low maintenance ownership experience of a modern electric engine is now highly appealing to a wide range of boat lovers and activities.

Offering much more efficiency than the typical petrol outboard, electric outboards challenge the petrol motors’ efficiency of around 10%, with in excess of 50% efficiency.

See Torqeedo’s motors in action in the Amazon on the BBC Natural History channel, from November 2016.

Torqeedo’s environmentally friendly engines achieve the same power as a petrol outboard without the risk of leaking fuel and emissions.