Torqeedo vs Elco
Both manufacturers offer electric outboard motors in the 1hp to 80hp (Elco 5hp to 50hp) category and have an established track record and presence in the leisure boating sector.
While gas-powered outboard engines account for the lion’s share of sales (98% of all sales) and persuading people to change to electric is not an easy task, the price of gas and the concerns with climate change are making electric power ever more appealing.
Each range has its strengths and weaknesses, which we will discuss in this article.
Brand Reputation and History
Most of us believe that marine electric motors are a new technology. While it is true in some instances and relatively recent advances have been made, Elco has been in business since 1893.
Interestingly, there is an unresolved dispute in The United States District Court For The Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, where Torqeedo is suing Elco for patent infringement.
Elco
The first significant order that Elco won was in 1893 for the supply of 55 electric launches at the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition.
While the first electric motors were inboard units integrated into the launch systems, in 1950, Elco designed and marketed the first commercially viable electric outboards.
The three-phase induction motor used by Elco has no commutator or brushes (brushless motor), resulting in a single moving part, making them more durable than Gas power and Direct current (DC) motors. In addition, the Elco AC motors are rated for up to 50,000 hours.
All parts are made from cast aluminum. The smallest motors run on 24 volts, which increases to 96 volts required by the most powerful models.
Each motor is offered with the following options:
Torqeedo
Torqeedo started in 2004, working from a small garage on the shores of Lake Starnberg in Southern Bavaria.
The name Torqeedo is intended to refer to the main power characteristic of the company’s motors which provide high levels of torque.
Torqeedo motors have GPS positioning, remote access smartphone app and Deep Blue Lithium high-performance battery systems as standard.
Like Elco, electric motors are brushless. The difference between Elco and Torqeedo is that Torqeedo has magnets that rotate around the stator, while the Elco system has a conventional rotating stator.
Torqeedo claims that this system produces more torque than similar electric propulsion motors.
Torqeedo uses rare earth magnets, which they claim have 5 to 6 times the strength of regular batteries. Also stating, their engines have up to 20 times the torque of equivalent electric motor manufacturers’ engines.
All Torqeedo motors are offered with the following options.
Product Range And Prices: Torqeedo vs Elco
Elco does not offer powerplants in the 1 and 3 hp range, and at the top end, Torqeedo is the only manufacturer with an 80hp electric outboard motor.
| Torqeedo | Elco |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, GPS-based range calculation | Simplicity in design, similar to traditional gas outboards |
| Integrated lithium batteries | Lithium-ion and AGM compatible |
Elco Product Range
| Model | Horsepower | Suggested Battery Type | Suggested Retail Price (Battery and hardware excluded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP-5 Electric Outboard | 5 HP | External 125 amps DC | $2,610.00 |
| EP-9.9 Electric Outboard | 9.9 HP | External 98 amps DC | $2,910.00 |
| EP-14 Electric Outboard | 14 HP | External 130 amps DC | $4,110.00 |
| EP-20 Electric Outboard | 20 HP | External 175 amps DC | $4,804.00 |
| EP-30 Electric Outboard | 30 HP | External 130 amps DC | $6,999.00 |
| EP-50 Electric Outboard | 50 HP | External 275 amp DC | $8,999.00 |
Torqeedo Product Range
| Model | Horsepower | Battery Type | Suggested Retail Price Price(batteries excluded – unless integrated with motor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultralight 403 A/AC | 1.0 HP | Integrated Lithium-ion batteries | $1,999.00 |
| Ultralight 1103 AC | 3.0 HP | Integrated Lithium-ion batteries | $2,899.00 |
| Travel 603 | 2.0 HP | Integrated Lithium-ion batteries | $2,248.00 |
| Travel 1103 C | 3.0 HP | Integrated Lithium-ion batteries | $2,948.00 |
| Cruise 3.0 | 6.0 HP | External AGM, lead-gel, or Lithium battery | $4,298.00 |
| Cruise 6.0 | 9.9 HP | External AGM, lead-gel, or Lithium battery | $4,298.00 |
| Cruise 12.0 R Torq Link | 25.0 HP | External AGM, lead-gel, or Lithium battery | $4,898.00 |
| Cruise 12.0 FP Torq Link | 25.0 HP | External AGM, lead-gel, or Lithium battery | $4,898.00 |
| Deep Blue 25 | 40.0 HP | Deep Blue Lithium battery system | $8,599.00 |
| Deep Blue 50 | 80.0 HP | Deep Blue Lithium battery system | $10,599.00 |
đź”® Editor’s Note: The Elco range is approximately 15% cheaper than the equivalent Torqeedo models; however, at the low hp range ( 5 – 6 hp), Elco models are 40% cheaper.
Elco vs Torqeedo vs Internal Combustion Engines
The traditional view is that powerboats with conventional gas-powered motors have better performance. This results in the perception that they are more powerful, have a longer range, and cost less.
Usage Applications
Features such as range, torque, and integration with marine electronics become pivotal in your decision-making process.
Technical Considerations and Durability
You should pay close attention to various aspects such as materials, efficiency, and warranty. These elements will aid in determining the best fit for your electric boating needs.
