BMEA

Mastervolt and Steyr Motors, the Austrian specialist for Marine diesel engines have formed a working partnership to develop and distribute a range of Serial Hybrid diesel-electric drive installations for boats.

Steyr Motors won a DAME award in 2007 for its parallel hybrid technology, and the company is now working with Mastervolt on a range of Serial Hybrid propulsion systems. In these, it is only the electric motor that drives the boats, the diesel engine effectively becoming an efficient generator set that charges the batteries for the electric motor. It is simpler than the parallel arrangement and well suited to marine applications.

Both companies are already leaders in Hybrid technology and they will make formidable partners, bringing together Steyr Motors expertise in diesel technology and its associated mechanics with Mastervolt’s highly advanced electrical power solutions.

With rapidly increasing interest in Hybrid drives amongst boat owners, there is a requirement for a ‘one stop’ shop for these 21^st century propulsion systems. The collaboration between Mastervolt and Steyr Motors, both designers and producers of premium products in their markets, brings together the essential top level expertise in diesel technology and power electronics required to develop the most effective and efficient state of the art systems.

Commenting on his company’s new collaboration with Steyr Motors, Paul Kenninck, CEO of Mastervolt, said; “This partnership between Steyr Motorsand Mastervolt brings together two innovative players in a way that will result in the development of the technology of the future, for delivery tomorrow, boosting the possibilities of e-propulsion in the medium to high end leisure market.”

Rudolf Mandorfer, CEO of Steyr Motors, said of the new partnership: “We are delighted to be working with Mastervolt; it brings together the maximum of field experience from both worlds, advanced Power Electronics and Diesel engines and will result in a rapid growth in hybrid technology for the marine market.”