The long standing collaboration between the Austrian companies Frauscher (www.frauscherboats.com) and Steyr Motors (www.steyr-motors.com) has now resulted in the exciting commercial launch of the worldwide first serial Hybrid Propulsion System for pleasure boats at “Boot 08” Düsseldorf in January 2008.
The hybrid drive to be deployed in the Frauscher boats supports all-electric propulsion up to a speed of 5 knots, and then switches to the combustion engine. The electric motor then boosts the combustion-powered propulsion for a quicker entry into planing, thereby lowering fuel consumption and improving response and dynamics. The electric system also eliminates the need for separate generator units for other onboard equipment. The unique configuration of the Hybrid Propulsion System will immediately allow Frauscher to seamlessly equip all boats with the sustainable innovation.
A Frauscher 686 Lido powered by the Hybrid Propulsion System will be presented at LuNa (Lugano Nautica), March 12 - 16 2008 in Lugano (Swiss).