Volkswagen is embracing electric vehicles and that doesn’t just apply to those on land.
Quite the opposite as the company is teaming up with Silent-Yachts, which is a manufacturer of solar-electric catamarans.
According to the automaker, they first became aware of Silent-Yachts in 2019 and this eventually lead to talks between the two companies. These discussions paved the way for Silent-Yachts to use Volkswagen’s MEB modular electric drive kit.
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The companies didn’t go into specifics, but it sounds like Silent-Yachts will use MEB battery packs. Regardless, Volkswagen said the company will benefit from economies of scale and this should enable future yachts to be more affordable.
While it seems odd that Volkswagen has taken an interest in yacht building, the company said they want to “further increase the enthusiasm for electromobility, demonstrate the technological strengths of its platform and show that driving fun, long ranges, smooth cruising and clean mobility are also possible on the high seas.”
As part of this effort, Volkswagen has tapped Cupra to help Silent-Yachts create a new model with a “contemporary touch.” It’s a double decker that features clean lines as well as gently sloping roofs equipped with solar panels. The yacht also has angular accents, large greenhouses and what appears to be four MEB battery packs.
If everything goes according to plan, the first yacht with MEB technology will be introduced in 2022. Following a “start-up period of four years,” the shipbuilder is set to make at least 50 yachts annually.
While Silent-Yachts isn’t a household name, they introduced the Solarwave 46 in 2009. The company has since delivered a dozen catamarans including the Silent 55, which can cover up to 99 miles (160 km) a day using solar energy. Since cloudy days are always a possibility, the boats are equipped with an emergency diesel generator.
