General Motors subsidiary GM Marine quietly unveiled a new electric pontoon boat at the recent 2019 Miami International Boat Show, furthering the automaker’s efforts to popularize electric propulsion methods of all kinds in the United States.
The electric GM boat, officially called the Forward Marine FIRST, features an automotive-sourced single electric motor and a 60 kWh lithium battery pack. While not officially confirmed by GM, it seems likely that this powertrain is simply a modified version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV’s propulsion system. It can allegedly provide enough energy for up to 10 hours of boating (it’s not clear what cruising speed this figure was measured at) and will carry the pontoon boat to a top sped of 20 mph.
Charging this 4,700 lb beast, which also features a custom 1/8-inch-thick aluminum pontoon hull built by GM Marine, is the company’s 110-volt charging outlet or 220-volt SAE charge station.
“What we found is a huge opportunity to make the relaxing experience of boating even more relaxing,” said General Motors VP Dan Nicholson. “We decided that it’s time to look at blending our proven marine product capability with our other strengths and taking it all to the next level with something that fits precisely within General Motors’ vision.”
“Think about it: minimal maintenance, no refueling, no mess, no extra fuel costs and virtually silent operation,” Nicholson added. “This is the boat that will make relaxation more relaxing. Imagine having the ability to enjoy drinks straight from the onboard refrigerator, make some food on an electric grill, watch the onboard TV and keep all your favorite electronics charged all day on this beautiful boat.”
The GM boat has some luxurious onboard amenities as well, such as a stainless steel barbeque grille, a television and a digital driver’s display screen.
More information on the GM boat will soon be available through Forward Marine’s website. It is only a concept for now, as far as we understand.
Comments
If its utilizing the Bolt’s EV gear, the irony is not GM, its LG, that provides the following: Electric Drive Motor, Power Inverter Module (converts DC power to AC for the drive unit), On Board Charger, Electric Climate Control System Compressor, Battery Cells and Pack, High Power Distribution Module (manages the flow of high voltage to various components), Battery Heater, Accessory Power Module (maintains low-voltage power delivery to accessories) and Power Line Communication Module (manages communication between vehicle and a DC charging station)…
“its LG, that provides the following”, it is a GM designed system though.
Not as cool looking as this one but it will out run (cruise) it according to both boats specs.
http://tcbmag.com/news/articles/2019/january/ex-medtech-entrepreneur-howard-root-to-unveil-worlds-first-electric-luxury-fiberglass-pontoon
I wonder if GM Defense is working on a military application?
“It is a GM designed system though.”
Exactly, fastyle.
Also, not as cool as this one:
But still cool that they’re working on something like this. I’d definitely be interested to know the cruising speed that yields the quoted battery life. This would be cool if you docked at a marina with free electricity!
With a Bimini outfitted with photovoltaic panels, you could be charging while floating at the sandbar also!
For places like Havasu or Parker, you would never have to worry about running out of power.
Especially with the boat moored to the dock behind the house, never leaving the water (Parker, AZ.). Never being towed past a fuel station!
Let’s see, why did GM release this concept (no plans for production) “quietly” to little fanfare…?
Would it be…
…What happens when you run out of power in the
…Charge times at local marinas that won’t be happy with you taking up valuable parking space especially during the busy summer months.
…Most marinas are NOT wired to hook up one boat let alone many at a time for recharging.
…Many boaters dont go to marinas for long periods to get fuel; they fuel up at the equivalent of water gas stations which don’t have space or systems for electrical refuelling. Now also imagine the regulatory hurdles and costs to add electric recharging with highly flammable fuel!
…What happens to toxic batteries in an accident? Fires AND toxic extremely toxic chemicals will leak into our waterways and can’t be contained like a road accident.
…Almost all electric production in the world still comes from non-green power production like coal, nuclear, natural gas…You might pat yourself on the back for being “green” but it isn’t really changing the source of production.
…Most parts of the country boating is seasonal making any marina or other infrastructure improvement
There will be SOME application for limited use electric propulsion, but not anywhere near what certain people are trying to push. Same as future vehicle strategies where most automakers realize electric is not the end all or only way forward, but part of a diversified portfolio of new-energy systems to meet a diversified vehicle/ vessel need. GM is to extreme on one all-electric gamble and it will fail miserably.
Fast style, what happens when an electric boat with very limited range runs out of charge far off shore? Not just going to bring a electric charging station out to them and wait a few hours, especially in rough weather. But a gas-powered boat is easily serviced by a can of fuel and a few minutes of fueling to get you back to shore.
A couple of party boats that never leave the shore much maybe, the 90% of other boating in massive lakes, waterways with limited services, and oceans, not so easy or it would have been done already.
Are you calling 10 hours a limited range? “Massive lakes and waterways”, are you the lifelong boater from South Dakota? I guess you would come up short if you tried to go from one end of Lake Oahe to the other, even in an ICE powered boat (sounds like a fun one, can I come along).
“runs out of charge”, are you a poor planner? do you hop on the highway heading out of town on an “easily serviced” near empty fuel tank? Some people are better off staying out of the kitchen away from sharp objects if you know what I mean.
“Oceans”, really? Have you ever seen an aircraft carrier on a lake? It is by nature electric, with plenty of range. Would you also use an impact gun to screw in a light bulb?
“Not so easy or it would have been done already”.
A famous man once said “We choose to go to the moon”, how does the rest of that one go?
I guess your saying there is no feasible application for this, then let’s throw it in the scrap bin!
Time will tell…
Do you really think LG designed a motor, case, shift interlock, oil cooler, oil pump, sump, gearing, etc…. for a car – something they’ve never done before? Or is the more likely scenario – GM designed it and contracted it out to LG?
Look it up. LG DOES design electric motors and did most of the engineering work like many sub-contractors do these days for auto production. GM just lead the the effort and branding/ packaging, but LG did most of the work on this boat. Again, research before making assumptions.
I own a Bolt EV and researched before I bought it. Of course LG designs motors, but the Bolt’s motor is a derivative of the motor GM used in the Spark EV using bars they have a patent for.
Maybe you should do more research before you comment. EV components are not rocket science. It’s about cost reduction.
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1102176_bolt-ev-powertrain-how-did-gm-and-lg-collaborate-on-design-production
Yup, when you failed at making the Volt (discontinued for a reason), let’s make a boat! That will distract attention from our problems at GM!
Oh, and shhhh about the “GM Electric Boat” being made almost entirely by LG. The lower classes masses will never notice our smoke and mirrors. We are innovators! Just look at our latest vehicles! ???
They sold over 150k Volt’s. Only the Tesla model 3 has reached these numbers for EVs. The Volt is gone because it’s a small sedan in a market that doesn’t want small sedans. The Volt can never be cheaper than an ICE vehicles because it has the components of an ICE vehicle and an EV.
Plugs at every dock slip seems harder than charging stations in every home. 5k lbs is pretty heavy
Shore power isn’t that hard to find, and is mandatory is some harbours.
Except anybody who actually owns and uses a boat frequently will tell you shore power is not just as easy as plugging in here and there. Most Marinas do not have the electrical capacity to hook up more than one boat at a time, many not even wired for one continuous charge. Then you have expanses of water areas with absolutely no Marina’s at all. What happens when your boat runs out of electricity and it isn’t as simple as someone bring you a gas can to get you to shore?
Like GM’s electric vehicle or nothing strategy, it is well thought through and competitors are much more diversified in their future approach.
*IS NOT well thought through…
no more $5@ gal gas at the marina im in!
Model-T? That Henry Ford is crazy! What happens when you get out in the country and run out of that gasoline stuff? There is only 1 place in around 25 miles that sells that dangerous juice that will blow your head clean off…..
I will keep my trusty horse and buggy!!!!
Enough said?
Everything has to start somewhere. I own a 2012 Volt and a 2017 Bolt. My gasoline consumption is 1 gallon per week. And my electric bill has gone up by about $1.00 per day. Not a bad first start, IMHO. And they have been the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned!
As far as the dangerous battery pack chemical spills in a boat crash, what about boat explosions from gasoline fumes in the bilge or crashes and the associated gasoline spills that occur? Gasoline is not the safest liquid either.
And to all the naysayers and their comments, my suggestion would be to put the word “Today” if front of all of your negative comments. Example: (Today), “most marinas are NOT wired to hook up one boat let alone many at a time for recharging.” Or (Today) “Almost all electric production in the world still comes from non-green power production like coal, nuclear, natural gas…” Does that mean it will be that way forever???? I think not…….
Actually, using coal to produce electricity is falling year by year. In the USA, it was 39% in 2014 and 27.4% in 2018.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_power_in_the_United_States
Today, does it take to long to charge Li-Ion batteries? By today’s gasoline refueling standards, yes. But new battery technologies are being worked on right that will solve those problems. I, for one, think the future looks great for these new methods of transportation if we just give them a chance…..
My advice would be to try driving an electric vehicle. I will never go back to ICE based vehicle ever again.