Young electric water taxi service E-lixr is pivoting its previous business strategy to become the US’s first operator of all-electric vessels. It now seeks to support new and existing marine fleet operators with a unified platform.
E-lixr is a new company founded by Sam Payrovi and Nathalie Paiva. Together, they formed ARKHAUS, an innovative new social club on the waters of Miami, which we have covered on Electrek in the past.
For this venture, Payrovi and Paiva recruited the expertise of Aaron Leatherwood, a US Coast Guard licensed chief engineer and retired USCG Commander, who signed on as E-lixr’s director of marine operations.
During that September 2024 business announcement, E-lixr shared that it was “emerging at a crucial time, post-pandemic, as an increase in environmental awareness, urban congestion, and technological advancements have converged to create the ideal conditions for alternative transport solutions.”
Here, we learned that E-lixr’s initial transport solutions would include electric water taxi services in the US, beginning in Miami. To begin, E-lixr divulged plans to launch a pilot service of its water taxis on the waterways of Biscayne Bay this past fall, starting with two traditional Axopar vessels.
That initial rollout was its “Pre-lectric service” to begin testing taxi routes at the start of Miami’s busy tourism season before transitioning to a more sustainable marine fleet to reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution on the water.
The original plan was to introduce the nation’s first all-electric waterborne transportation service powered by its own zero-emission E-lixr vessels, designed in-house. However, an update from E-lixr today states that the startup is less focused on being the first and only electric water taxi network in the US and is now more focused on developing and supporting a universal network of vessels that will eventually extend beyond the region to a global scale.
Source: E-LIXR
E-LIXR looks to create a global electric water taxi network
Per a press release from E-lixr this morning, the marine mobility network has decided to pivot its business strategy away from simply becoming the first nationwide operator of all-electric water taxis. Instead, it aims to create a nationwide and international network of all-electric operators under a single, recognizable brand.
To do so, E-lixr says it will empower new existing and fleet operators through a unified platform-based business model to enable faster scalability. Thus, E-lixr will look to position itself as a resource and enabler for current water taxi operators looking to “modernize, decarbonize, and streamline their operations.”
E-lixr says this strategy shift also enables international operators to join its planned network helping accelerating its plans for global reach and environmental impact on Earth’s waters. E-lixr co-founder and CEO Sam Payrovi elaborated:
Our goal is to make all-electric waterborne transportation accessible and ubiquitous. This approach not only benefits operators but also expedites the transition to sustainable water transportation. We’re making it as seamless as possible for operators to transition to electric. Our platform is designed to handle the heavy lifting so operators can focus on serving their customers
As part of its reimagined business strategy, E-lixr intends to establish a network of existing medium- and large-scale operators as well as individual entrepreneurs operating on smaller waterways. In regions without suitable operators, E-lixr will partner with new entities to establish electric water taxi operations.
The company will then provide those network operators who get an invite to participate with a suite of tools, resources, and services to launch and maintain electric water taxi or ferry services. E-lixr intends to help facilitate access to approved electric boats, financing solutions, tech platforms for ticketing, routing, and onboard purchases, plus the necessary marketing campaigns to build a customer base, charging infrastructure installation and maintenance, and even legal support.
The overall goal is to provide water taxi fleet operators in its network with Operators an ecosystem of centralized technology that integrates rider, captain, and host applications into one, enabling everything from ticket sales to onboard hospitality. E-lixr even shared plans to help facilitate first- and last-mile connections through partnerships with rideshare services on land. Payrovi shared more insight:
Riders will be able to book an entire journey, from home to waterfront to destination, all in a single transaction. This convenience dramatically expands the customer base for our operators.
As we reported in September, E-lixr has already designed its own electric water taxi vessel to meet US Coast Guard commercial inspection requirements. However, the startup shared it now recognizes the need for a more diverse fleet in order to serve a multitude of different waterways and operational demands.
As part of the new business platform, E-lixr wants to partner with OEMs worldwide, then approve their vessels for operations within its electric water taxi network and help bring production of those vessels to the US. the enable this, the company said it plans to establish a dedicated US shipyard that will provide international OEMs with a production hub to help expedite the development, integration, and adoption of electric boats.
E-lixr will initially launch as the operator in its home market of Miami and potentially a few other US markets before handing those operations off to third parties over time so that it can focus on new cities and international expansion.
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Last week, Parker Hannifin launched what they’re calling the industry’s first certified Mobile Electrification Technology Center to train mobile equipment technicians make the transition from conventional diesel engines to modern electric motors.
The electrification of mobile equipment is opening new doors for construction and engineering companies working in indoor, environmentally sensitive, or noise-regulated urban environments – but it also poses a new set of challenges that, while they mirror some of the challenges internal combustion faced a century ago, aren’t yet fully solved. These go beyond just getting energy to the equipment assets’ batteries, and include the integration of hydraulic implements, electronic controls, and the myriad of upfit accessories that have been developed over the last five decades to operate on 12V power.
At the same time, manufacturers and dealers have to ensure the safety of their technicians, which includes providing comprehensive training on the intricacies of high-voltage electric vehicle repair and maintenance – and that’s where Parker’s new mobile equipment training program comes in, helping to accelerate the shift to EVs.
“We are excited to partner with these outstanding distributors at a higher level. Their commitment to designing innovative mobile electrification systems aligns perfectly with our vision to empower machine manufacturers in reducing their environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency,” explains Mark Schoessler, VP of sales for Parker’s Motion Systems Group. “Their expertise in designing mobile electrification systems and their capability to deliver integrated solutions will help to maximize the impact of Parker’s expanding METC network.”
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The manufacturing equipment experts at Nott Company were among the first to go through the Parker Hannifin training program, certifying their technicians on Parker’s electric motors, drives, coolers, controllers and control systems.
“We are proud to be recognized for our unwavering dedication to advancing mobile electrification technologies and delivering cutting-edge solutions,” says Nott CEO, Markus Rauchhaus. “This milestone would not have been possible without our incredible partners, customers and the team at Nott Company.”
In addition to Nott, two other North American distributors (Depatie Fluid Power in Portage, Michigan, and Hydradyne in Fort Worth, Texas) have completed the Parker certification.
Electrek’s Take
T7X all-electric track loader at CES 2022; via Doosan Bobcat.
With the rise of electric equipment assets like Bobcat’s T7X compact track loader and E10e electric excavator that eliminate traditional hydraulics and rely on high-voltage battery systems, specialized electrical systems training is becoming increasingly important. Seasoned, steady hands with decades of diesel and hydraulic systems experience are obsolete, and they’ll need to learn new skills to stay relevant.
Certification programs like Parker’s are working to bridge that skills gap, equipping technicians with the skills to maximize performance while mitigating risks associated with high-voltage systems. Here’s hoping more of these start popping up sooner than later.
Based on a Peterbilt 579 commercial semi truck, the ReVolt EREV hybrid electric semi truck promises 40% better fuel economy and more than twice the torque of a conventional, diesel-powered semi. The concept has promise – and now, it has customers.
Austin, Texas-based ReVolt Motors scored its first win with specialist carrier Page Trucking, who’s rolling the dice on five of the Peterbilt 579-based hybrid big rigs — with another order for 15 more of the modified Petes waiting in the wings if the initial five work out.
The deal will see ReVolt’s “dual-power system” put to the test in real-world conditions, pairing its e-axles’ battery-electric torque with up to 1,200 miles of diesel-extended range.
ReVolt Motors team
ReVolt Motors team; via ReVolt.
The ReVolt team starts off with a Peterbilt, then removes the transmission and drive axle, replacing them with a large genhead and batteries. As the big Pete’s diesel engine runs (that’s right, kids – the engine stays in place), it creates electrical energy that’s stored in the trucks’ batteries. Those electrons then flow to the truck’s 670 hp e-axles, putting down a massive, 3500 lb-ft of Earth-moving torque to the ground at 0 rpm.
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The result is an electrically-driven semi truck that works like a big BMW i3 or other EREV, and packs enough battery capacity to operate as a ZEV (sorry, ZET) in ports and urban clean zones. And, more importantly, allows over-the-road drivers to hotel for up to 34 hours without idling the engine or requiring a grid connection.
That ability to “hotel” in the cab is incredibly important, especially as the national shortage of semi truck parking continues to worsen and the number of goods shipped across America’s roads continues to increase.
And, because the ReVolt trucks can hotel without the noise and emissions of diesel or the loss of range of pure electric, they can immediately “plug in” to existing long-haul routes without the need to wait for a commercial truck charging infrastructure to materialize.
“Drivers should not have to choose between losing their longtime routes because of changing regulatory environments or losing the truck in which they have already made significant investments,” explains Gus Gardner, ReVolt founder and CEO. “American truckers want their trucks to reflect their identity, and our retrofit technology allows them to continue driving the trucks they love while still making a living.”
If all of that sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve heard of Hyliion.
In addition to being located in the same town and employing the same idea in the same Peterbilt 579 tractor, ReVolt even employs some of the same key players as Hyliion: both the company’s CTO, Chandra Patil, and its Director of Engineering, Blake Witchie, previously worked at Hyliion’s truck works.
Still, Hyliion made their choice when they shut down their truck business. ReVolt seems to have picked up the ball – and their first customer is eager to run with it.
“Our industry is undergoing a major transition, and fleet owners need practical solutions that make financial sense while reducing our environmental impact,” said Dan Titus, CEO of Page Trucking. “ReVolt’s hybrid drivetrain lowers our fuel costs, providing our drivers with a powerful and efficient truck, all without the need for expensive charging infrastructure or worrying about state compliance mandates. The reduced emissions also enable our customers to reduce their Scope 2 emissions.”
Page Trucking has a fleet of approximately 500 trucks in service, serving the agriculture, hazardous materials, and bulk commodities industries throughout Texas. And, if ReVolt’s EREV semis live up to their promise, expect them to operate a lot more than 20 of ’em.
Fleet electrification expert Tony Nisam took to LinkedIn yesterday to post a deal that he ran across at a Washington State Costco that stacks a $25,500 manufacturer rebate with $3,000 in “regular” Costco Member Savings, $2,750 in “LIMITED-TIME” Manufacturer to Member Incentives, plus an additional $250 for Costco Executive members.
Do a bit of math (add up 25,500 + 3,000 + $2,750 + 250), and you’ll calculate an almost unheard of $31,500 discount on one of the best, most capable commercial vans on the market – ICE or electric. And that’s before you factor in the 0% interest financing (72 mo.) being advertised at Blade Chevrolet, the Mount Vernon, Washington, where VIN 2G58J2TY6S9104313 (the exact van shown, below) is shown as stock number 16757.
If you’re not a Costco member yet and you’re looking for a new truck for your business or even a unique #vanlife ride with zero emissions, modern tech, and a nationwide dealer network, GM makes that $130 Executive membership seem like a no-brainer.
Is a $39,000 price cut enough to get you to take a look at a new Brightdrop? At $45,235 (from a starting price of $84,235), can you afford not to? Head down to the comments and let us know.