Meet the Arc Sport – an electric wake boat with twice the torque and advanced software
Young and budding electric boat developer, Arc Boat Company, has just unveiled its second model – a mass-market electric wake boat called the Arc Sport. With a massive battery and no shortage of horsepower, Arc sees its latest all-electric marine product as a springboard into a segment in desperate need of modernization and intends to do so by offering “unprecedented performance.”
Arc Boat Company was founded in January 2021 as a venture-backed startup based in Los Angeles, California, currently operating on $110 million in funding to date.
In the past three years, its team of former rocket engineers and EV experts from companies like SpaceX, Tesla, Rivian, and Lyft has eclipsed 100 employees and successfully delivered its first product – the Arc One.
This limited edition all-electric cruiser launched (no pun intended) in June 2022 and less than 20 were built in total. That being said, it quickly sold out, and the final customer delivery was made this past January, rounding out the startup’s initial fleet. While production of the Arc One was limited, its creators consistently told the public to be patient because its second boat would be a game changer.
Today, we’ve learned what all the hype was about as the startup debuted the Arc Sport – an electric wake boat with more power, technology, and ballast than its predecessor.
The Arc Sport is an ultra-intelligent electric wake boat
Per a post by Arc Boat Company today, the Arc Sport electric wake boat is now available to reserve, and the development unit it will evolve from is “already ripping across the water at top speed.”
The startup describes its encore to the Arc One as “the most advanced wake boat to hit the water.” Blending aerospace engineering with EV tech and advanced software, the Arc Sport is as technologically advanced as it is powerful.
The electric wake boat begins with a 226 kWh battery pack that powers a 570 horsepower motor. Arc states the all-electric Sport can deliver more than double the torque of most premium wake boats on the market.
The company would not get into specifics about charge rates, but said the Arc Sport will support Level 1, 2, and DC fast charging and can replenish overnight on a Level 2 AC plug. On average, Arc says the electric wake boat should support 4-5 hours of active usage time, including plenty of towing, but can be used all day if cruising at lower speeds. Speaking of which, the Arc Sport’s optimal cruising speed is in the upper-20’s in mph but can reach a top speed of 40 mph (software-restricted.)
While we’ve seen the marine industry adopt electrification at an encouraging rate, those boats not adapting rely heavily on dated technology. To challenge this, Arc Boats has integrated the electric wake boat with advanced in-house software that can provide a holistic experience controlled through two displays at the helm. Better still, the software is capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing for continuous improvement. Per Arc Boat Company:
Unlike gas boats that start depreciating the day they’re built, the Arc Sport gets more intelligent — and more performant — over time. No other boat on the water today is capable of this.
Other premium features on the Arc Sport include a retractable hardtop tower with the push of a button, which can adjust the electric wake boat’s tow point to create a more comfortable ride during less-than-ideal marine conditions like wind or chop.
The boat has room for 15 passengers who can control the speaker system from JL Audio using a large entertainment screen that also allows for video playback and stats during wake boating. The bow and stern are equipped with thrusters to make docking more manageable, not to mention the Arc Sport is cleaner and quieter on the water.
The Arc Sport starts at $258,000 and is available to reserve now. Initial deliveries are expected to begin this year.
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Volkswagen Group Africa has officially begun production of a modern electric farm tractor at its multifunctional facility in Gashora, Rwanda in a bid to advance modern, low-emission agricultural initiatives in Africa.
Part of a larger Rwandan initiative called the GenFarm Project, the new VW tractor is part of a “holistic ecosystem” of electrified farming machinery set to be used throughout rural Africa – where liquid fossil fuels are often just as difficult to come by as electricity. The goal is to provide machinery that’s both sustainable and reliable.
“We are growing our footprint in Africa and regard Rwanda as a key growth market. This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainable practices and highlights our ability to provide mobility solutions to the rural community in addition to the urban community currently serviced by our Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda business,” explains Martina Biene, Volkswagen Group Africa Chairperson and Managing Director. “The GenFarm Project fosters technological innovation and aligns with Volkswagen Group’s strategy to generate meaningful value for both society and the environment through sustainable mobility.”
The GenFarm project will eventually provide mobility services for transportation of goods and people. In June 2023, Volkswagen Group Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rwanda to provide land for the establishment of the GenFarm Project.
The Volkswagen tractors’ electric motor produces 20 kW (about 27 hp), making it about the same size as the Solectrac product (which hasn’t worked out well in the US, it must be said). That motor gets its electrons from a 32 kWh swappable battery. Batteries are swapped/charged at the Empowerment Hub to minimize downtime. DC fast charging isn’t available, but the relatively small, swappable batteries (hopefully) mean that’s not much of a problem.
The GenFarm project hopes the new VW electric tractor will help clean up Rwanda’s agricultural sector, which currently accounts for some 25% of the national Gross Domestic Product.
Electrek’s Take
We’ve talked a lot about the lack of new farmers in America, but the problem is global – especially as western companies, and western ideas about consumerism, continue to spread. Products like this electric tractor from VW will make farming cleaner, quieter, and (hopefully) more attractive to young workers.
SOURCE | IMAGES: VW Group Africa.
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A new, all electric Peterbilt 579EV is in-service at Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant, where it’s busy transporting newly-built Honda cars from the plant to a nearby railhead for shipment to dealers across the country.
Part of a pilot program between Honda, Alabama Power, and Virginia Transportation Corp., the new electric semi truck will help stakeholders gather data about the practicality and performance of the battery-powered Pete and use it to generate case studies for broader electrification initiatives. Other supporters of the pilot project include the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and, of course, Peterbilt.
“We remain committed to delivering for our customers and the environment,” offered Leo Doire, owner and CEO of Virginia Transportation Corp. “Our new Peterbilt 579EV model will be tested to determine how well it performs against the high productivity demands of our operations. The partners we have at the table will help us maximize this opportunity and prepare to scale up if we get the results we are hoping for.”
The truck itself has been spec’ed to be perfect for the kind of short haul and drayage applications Honda has in mind. This particular Peterbilt 579EV is fitted with PACCAR’s 400 kWh battery and a 670 hp electric motor good for an impressive 2,050 lb-ft of peak torque at 0 rpm.
The truck offers 150 miles of operating range and can be charged in about 3 hours on a 120 kW charger installed specifically for that purpose. A charger, it should be noted, that was partially paid for by Alabama Power.
“Alabama Power’s ‘Make Ready’ program provides businesses with valuable rebates to help reduce the upfront costs of installing EV infrastructure,” says Alabama Power Electric Transportation Manager Hasin Gandhakwala. “We are committed to partnering with customers who are exploring state and federal grant opportunities. Alabama Power is dedicated to advancing EV technologies to better serve the needs of our customers.”
The electric semi is a continuation of a decarbonization project Honda initiated in 2011, when the company recruited Virginia Transport Corp. to help find ways to reduce emissions at its Alabama facilities. VTC’s efforts have led to changes that displaced more than 475,000 gallons of diesel in 2023 alone.
Electrek’s Take
With the big Pete’s 82,000 lb. GVWR and 150 miles of range between charging sessions, it seems like these guys will be making a lot of back-and-forth runs between the Honda plant and the CSX terminal to me. Here’s hoping they see the benefits of electrifying the rest of their vehicle transport fleets somewhat sooner than later.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Alabama Power.
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On today’s episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got big solar breaking ground all over, despite the incoming administration’s supposed lack of love for home-grown clean energy. Our guests today walk us through home solar, energy storage, and more.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations sitewide. Learn more by clicking here.
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Read more: Saldivar’s Trucking: first owner-operator to deploy Volvo VNR Electric semi.
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