The OXE Hybrid 450 concept engine is said to be the world’s first hybridised diesel outboard in the higher power classes
Swedish engine maker OXE Marine AB has developed a concept engine with hybrid drive that combines the diesel drive of OXE Marine’s outboards with electric drive, giving lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
The OXE Hybrid 450 concept engine is said to be the world’s first hybridised diesel outboard in the higher power classes and had its premiere at the Miami International Boat Show. The concept engine is based on OXE Marine’s fuel-efficient diesel outboard OXE300.
By equipping the existing rig with a 400V electric motor connected to a lithium-ion battery, additional opportunities for fuel savings are achieved along with the benefits that pure electric operation offers.
In combination with HVO100 biodiesel, the OXE Hybrid 450 can contribute to greatly reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared to a traditional gasoline-fuelled outboard. Thanks to the fact that the electric motor drives the power transmission directly, it can also be used as a generator to charge the battery during diesel operation.
“The OXE Hybrid 450 combines the best of both worlds, the energy efficiency of diesel operation with the electric motor’s steep torque curve and the possibility of a completely emission-free operation. Thanks to its flexibility, our concept engine provides reduced fuel consumption and reduced carbon dioxide emissions, while also being able to deliver additional power when needed, for example during acceleration when the fossil engine’s consumption is extra high,” says Anders Berg, CEO of OXE Marine AB.
The battery capacity has been sized to enable quiet and completely emission-free operation when visiting a port, fishing, or while traveling in waters where fossil-fuelled boats are not allowed.
At the same time, the well-measured capacity, and the ability to charge while underway mean that the battery can be used to power additional, energy-demanding equipment on board.
The OXE Hybrid 450 has been developed in cooperation with customers and boat manufacturers.
During the spring OXE Marine will, together with the boat manufacturer Nimbus Group, conduct field tests of an OXE Hybrid 450 on a Nimbus T9. The plan is then to start series production in the second half of 2023.
source:ibi
