Solar electric yacht builder Silent Yachts has announced an all-electric tender to support its growing lineup of zero-emissions ships. Despite being a tiny vessel, the SILENT Tender 400 was built with the same design standards as Silent Yachts’ larger boats. Built with carbon fiber and up to 30 kW of electric power, the Tender 400 is light and agile, whether it’s sitting on the stern, or transporting up to six people to and from shore. Have a look.
Silent Yachts was founded by Heike and Michael Köhle, who together have sailed over 75,000 nautical miles around the world. Following their extensive travels at sea, the two decided there had to be a better way to propel yachts with clean energy.
After five years of sea trials that began in 2010, Silent Yachts had developed proven solar yacht concept, and began serial production of luxury sustainable vessels in 2016 with the SILENT-64. In the past, we’ve covered Silent Yachts’ larger vessels, like our trip aboard the SILENT-60, which first debuted in 2021.
As the solar electric yacht developer continues to expand into bigger and better at sea, it has shaken things up with a small but mighty electric tender to provide added mobility to its customers.
Silent Yachts’ electric 400 Tender is ultra light and efficient
According to the press release from Silent Yachts, its all-electric SILENT Tender 400 measures four meters from transom to bow and takes a number of design cues from its 60- and 80-foot siblings, including its signature black and white finish.
Thanks to its carbon fiber design, the electric tender weighs just 90 kg (198 lbs), making its easier to lift in and out of the water using the hydraulic platform on the SILENT-60 for instance. Light weight also makes the all-electric SILENT Tender 400 ultra-efficient, offering the capability to transport at speeds over 20 knots. Founder and CEO Michael Köhler elaborated:
We are very proud to present the new SILENT Tender 400, which is one of the most efficient electric tenders on the market. It follows the same design principles as our award-winning electric yachts, with dimensions that enable it to fit both the SILENT 60 series and SILENT 80 series yachts. What is more, the hull gives passengers a really dry ride, even at speed and in confused seas.
Yacht owners who add the electric tender can choose between 20 kW inboard waterjet propulsion system, or a sportier outboard motor capable of 20 or 30 kW. Customers can also choose between a 16 kWh or upgraded 20 kWh lithium battery. Silent Yachts states the electric tender can cruise comfortably at 10 knots for at lease two hours before needing to recharge. With fast charging onboard, the SILENT Tender 400 can replenish in 2.5 hours.
This electric tender is currently designed for the SILENT-60 solar electric yacht, but can also be used on the SILENT-80 or any other yacht. Looking ahed, the company says it is already developing a larger, 5.1 meter electric tender designed specifically for its SILENT-80 series at the request of its customers. Check out the SILENT Tender 400 in action below:
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss China reaching the EV tipping point, Tesla’s retreat in Europe, EV buyers receiving some tax credit relief, and more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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Cadillac is back and selling a surprising number of electric vehicles in the US. With a full lineup of electric SUVs, Cadillac now claims to be the leading luxury EV brand in the US. Can it keep it up even after the $7,500 federal tax credit expires?
After launching seven new electric vehicles this year, GM claimed that Cadillac became the leading luxury EV brand by market share. However, that doesn’t include Tesla due to its “pricing structure.”
Cadillac is coming off its best first-half sales since 2008, selling more vehicles across all 50 states. Nearly one in four Cadillacs sold in the US this year were EVs.
GM’s luxury brand is now selling more electric vehicles than some of its biggest rivals, including Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, and Volvo.
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According to the latest data from Cox Automotive, Cadillac sold over 11,700 EVs in Q2, up 62% compared to last year. Through the first six months of the year, it has sold nearly 20,000 electric vehicles. In comparison, Porsche has sold almost 7,200 EVs in the US, Mercedes sold about 8,000, and Audi has sold just over 11,500.
2026 Cadillac Optiq EV (Source: Cadillac)
With an electric SUV in nearly every segment, including the entry-level Optiq, a midsize Lyriq, a three-row Vistiq, and the even larger Escalade IQ and IQL models, Cadillac is seeing an influx of buyers from other brands.
Cadillac prepares for the EV tax credit to expire
Around 70% of Cadillac’s EV buyers are from other brands, according to GM, and about 10% are former Tesla drivers. With big policy changes coming under the Trump administration, Cadillac, like the entire industry, will likely face some hurdles.
The administration already raised tariffs on imported vehicles and other auto parts, and at the end of September, the $7,500 federal EV tax credit is set to expire.
2026 Cadillac Vistiq electric SUV (Source: GM)
In response to the changes, many automakers are shifting back to hybrid and gas-powered vehicles. Cadillac is no exception.
“They’ll have to have both for a number of years now,” according to Sam Fiorani, the vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. Fiorani explained (via The New York Times) that “The gas-powered vehicles make the money, and the EVs bring them a new market.”
Cadillac ESCALADE IQL electric SUV (Source: Cadillac)
Cadillac was initially expected to have an all-EV lineup by the end of the decade. Thanks to the policy changes, Cadillac could continue offering hybrid and ICE vehicles for several more years.
Fiorani said that although GM planned to retire the gas-powered Escalade, it’s now due for a refresh that will be sold “well into the next decade.”
Cadillac LYRIQ luxury trim (Source: Cadillac)
Earlier this year, Cadillac’s global vice president, John Roth, said during a media briefing that the company was in a better position than most with the policy changes.
All Cadillac vehicles are built in the US, except the Optiq, which is built in Mexico. According to Roth, the policy changes will have “very limited impact, if you will, on the Cadillac brand.” If anything, Roth said, it could be an opportunity for the luxury automaker.
If you’re looking to get ahead of the $7,500 EV tax credit expiration, we can help you get started. Check out our links below to find Cadillac’s electric SUVs in your area.
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Australia Post is advancing its commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions across its operations by 2050 with the introduction of 36 new Mercedes-Benz eVito electric vans, expanding its existing fleet of over 5,000 EVs already in active service.
“This is our largest electric van trial to date,” explains Australia Post Chief Sustainability Officer, Richard Pittard. “It’s a meaningful step forward as we continue building a modern, sustainable delivery network that meets the evolving needs of our customers while reducing our environmental impact.”
The new eVito vans, once deployed at scale, will operate primarily in highly populated metro areas, where their positive impact on local air quality will be felt by the greatest number of people, and their respiratory health, as well.
Electrek’s Take
Mercedes eVito; via Australia Post.
This kind of deployment should be exciting to EV enthusiasts for a number of tried-and-true reasons, but this one is particularly exciting to Americans because we have an Administration actively pretending that electric postal vehicles aren’t ready for prime time. The success of programs like this one from Australia Post are just more egg in the face of these anti-EV clowns, and few things make me happier.
You can check out the official Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia eVito specs and measurements in the detailed brochure, below, then scroll on down to the comments and let us know what you think of MB’s baby Sprinter.
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