All-electric first for Flugga

The new Fluggaboat offers a viable electric alternative

Unst Inshore Services Ltd has built the first 100% electric workboat in the UK. The 7.5m Fluggaboat uses an Evoy 120hp continuous rated, electric outboard powered by a 63 kwh Lithium-Ion battery housed in the console. Charging uses an onboard charger, so the vessel can be fully charged overnight or topped up during the day, depending on the rate of use.

The top speed is 30 knots but the most economical speed is 24 knots. The touch screen dash panel gives good indication of battery state of charge and use, speed and available range are constantly updated, motor RPM and kw are also displayed. Different screens show rate of charge etc. Below 20% the battery management system will go into a “get home” reduced power mode to enhance the range for the return trip to a charge point. Range anxiety is taken care of by the amount of information provided on the touch screen.

Cruise speed

Unst says: “This system with the liquid cooled battery and charger looked the best option for what we wanted. The plan was to build and test so we could measure the range at different speeds for ourselves. We find the boat has a best speed/range at around 24 knots which was a nice surprise. Our intention was to produce a perfectly viable boat, not just a token effort of an electric boat.

“We like to code the boats before delivery, this way they are ready to operate on delivery and the boat is an approved unit.”