World’s first battery-powered luxury boat using WAE tech

Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) is working with fellow Oxfordshire-based firm, OXIS Energy Ltd, on the production of ‘cleaner, greener energy’, designed for an all-new 40ft electric luxury boat.

The craft, from Yachts de Luxe (YdL) of Singapore and designed by Jean Jacques Coste, will be the world’s first ever luxury boat to be powered by Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cell and battery systems technology. The objective is to achieve a range between 70 and 100 nautical miles at cruising speed – setting new standards for range in electric boats.

WAE will be responsible for the state-of-the-art 400 kWh battery system, which comprises ultra-light, high-power/high-energy density Li-S cells – provided by OXIS Energy Ltd – and the battery management system (BMS). The design and manufacture of the cell modules, the BMS and its installation will be carried out by WAE at its dedicated battery facility in Grove.

High performance batteries and BMS are core to WAE’s business. The company was the original supplier of batteries to the entire grid of FIA Formula E World Championship cars in 2014, a relationship that has been revived for the 2022-23 season, with WAE being awarded the exclusive contract to supply the Gen3 battery system. WAE also supplies battery systems to ETCR and Extreme-E.

As well as having high gravimetric energy density and low predicted costs, WAE says the Li-S cells are a safer option for electric marine applications.

Furthermore, OXIS’ Li-S technology contains no toxic or rare earth materials in the make-up of its cell technology, making it a safe option for open water transportation. At the end of life, the materials used in the Li-S cells can be disposed of without damaging the environment.

“As an organisation, WAE has huge expertise in the design, development and assembly of advanced battery systems, including a number of applications in the highly demanding world of motorsport. These lightweight, high performance electrification skills have also been applied to other sectors and we are looking forward to working with OXIS Energy to further explore the potential in the marine sector,” says Iain Wight, director, business development, WAE.