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Welcome to what we believe is the most complete guide to electric outboard boat motors with power less than 5kW. It has been assembled to provide a single place where someone interested in electric outboards and electric boats in general can find comparative information for motors made all over the world: Europe, USA and Asia.

You may also be interested in our other guides: »» Guide to Electric Outboards Over 5kW »» Guide to Electric Inboards »» Guide to Electric Saildrives and Pods »» Guide to Electric Trolling Motors »» Guide to Electric Boat Batteries

»» Plugboats also has the world’s largest and most complete Directories of almost 400 electric boats, motors, batteries, accessories, solar panels and rental/charter companies

This is a general outline of the companies that manufacture electric outboards with power under 5kiloWatts and the models that they offer. It is not intended to be the definitive authority on the subject, but rather a launching pad for finding out more about motors that may match your specific needs.

There is a lot of variety in the way manufacturers detail the technical attributes of their products. We have tried to take the most common measurements and assemble an ‘apples to apples’ comparison.

They are organized in alphabetical order by manufacturer and then by power of motor within that manufacturer’s listing. In the interests of user friendliness, we have bunched the short (S) and long shaft (L) models together, and for some manufacturers have also bunched the range of motors, mainly because that is how those manufacturers display them on their websites.

The blue links will connect you to the manufacturer’s entire website, the page for the motor/s being detailed, and in some cases, a link to download a brochure. At the bottom of the page is a sortable and searchable table of all the information. While the page can be viewed on a mobile device, there is a lot of information. We encourage you to view on a desk or laptop browser for maximum legibility and flexibility.

Plugboats makes no claims about the relative performance or manufacturing quality of the motors, the information is drawn from each manufacturers published materials. Also, the photographs and drawings are not shown in any consistent scale.

We welcome any input you may have to make this guide better – a different grouping, perhaps we have left out a motor or are unaware of a manufacturer. If you do have a suggestion, correction or improvement, use the Contact Form at the bottom of the page.

kW • Voltage • HP: kW is the kW rating provided by the manufacturer. Most websites do not indicate whether it is input or output kW. When it is indicated, we took the larger of the two, usually the input kW Voltage is most often referred on the sites as ‘Voltage’. Some indiccate nominal or peak. In those cases we have used the nominal rating and indicated it as such. HP: is ‘HorsePower equivalent’ so that you can get an idea of the power of the motor in comparison to a HP rating you might be more familiar with. These measurements come from the manufacturer’s website, and different manufacturers measure the HP in different ways. Some even use metric horsepower, which is slightly different from imperial horsepower. Again, we have tried to make it as apples to apples as possible. (For general guidance, 1kW is round one and a third HP, or the reverse is that 1HP is around three quarters of a kW Weight and Length: are in metric. 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds, ( a 15kg motor = 33 lb), 1 centimetre = 2.54 inch (63 cm shaft = 25″) Running Times: These obviously depend on a variety of conditions. We have used the information from the manufacturer’s website, taking the range/time at the lowest speed and highest. Some manufacturers also include range in their analysis of the capabilities of a battery and motor combination, but since not all provide that, we have used only running times.

Price: These prices are intended as a guide, to give an idea of comparative pricing, not as quotes for the products. The information was taken from a variety of sources. If the manufacturer has a suggested list price, it is noted. Otherwise, information came from dealer websites. In some cases we could not find a dealer price and we have contacted the manufacturer for a MSRP. These will be added as they arrive.

The range of prices reflects the options for the model (i.e. from short shaft tiller steer to long shaft remote steer). While prices between dealers are fairly consistent, there can be big price swings between continents. The $ amounts are US$ unless otherwise noted. Finally, if the battery is integrated, it is in the price, if the battery is separate, the listed price is for the motor only.

The information on this page was reviewed on March 15, 2022

Aquamot was founded in 2003 by engineer Siegmund Hammerschmidt and has grown to be a leading manufacturer of electric motors. They have outboard and pod motors in sizing from 1.1 kW to 25kW. Their Trend line, shown here, is for recreational boats. The motors are divided into the 1 to 1.6kW range and the 2.2 to 4.4kW range because that is how they are shown on the website. (Aquamot motors above 5kW are on our Guide to Outboards Over 5 kW). The photos show that the motor (bottom of shaft) is longer and larger on the higher kW models. The black extension is the optional tiller.

Combi Outboards was founded in 1979 in Giethoorn (‘the Dutch Venice’) to supply rental boats with clean electric power. It is now a leading international supplier of electric propulsion solutions for the maritime market. Combi manufactures inboards, pods, hybrids and outboards. There are six outboards ranging in power from 1kW to 3.5 kW: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5kW. Rather than detailing each, we give the specifications for the 1kW and 3.5kW models. The prices for each model are included in the sortable table at the bottom of the page.

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EClass Rechargable Boats is an Australian company that has tested and developed a system that uses electric motors installed as the powerhead on lower units and casings of standard fossil fuel outboards. Motors can be purchased alone or in a package with a matched lithium-ion battery package. In addition to the 3kW and 4kW models below, they have 5, 12 and 20 kW models. (See our Guide to Electric Outboards Over 5kW)

The brand name e’dyn is short for ‘Electric Dynamic Nautics’ and is the electric propulsion division of Podkriznik d.o.o., which produces larger drive assemblies, special metal parts and complex metal/composite parts for electric motors. e’dyno offers 1 outboard model less than 5kW, 2 models larger than 5kW and an inboard motor.

Elco (Elco Motor Yachts) is the oldest electric boat motor company in the world, having been started in 1893 as the the Electric Launch Company to supply electric boats for the Chicago World’s Fair. It went on to become the USA’s second largest boat manufacturer. In 2013 the company decided to focus exclusively on electric motors – outboards, inboards and hybrids. They have two outboards under 5kW and four bigger motors ranging from 6.48kW to 21.6kW.

Elva is an electric boating specialist founded in the Netherlands in 1984 by Piet Bibo. Their motors are widely used for commercial and rental applications and have proven themselves simple to operate and extremely durable. They offer three outboards: .9kW, 1.5kW and 1.8kW

Joe Grez, an experienced consumer product developer with a degree in physics and portfolio of US patents, developed the Electric Paddle in 2008 when a new mandatory CO2 warning had to be placed on his dinghy and it made him think about the effects of exhaust on his young granddaughter when she was in the boat. The motor has now evolved into the EP Carry system, an electric outboard for dinghies and most boats 13 ft. or less, plus some sail craft. 

ePropulsion was  founded in 2012 by three engineers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).  The company continues to have a strong engineering culture where each engineer is individually responsible for creating as much value for users as possible. ePropulsion offers two outboard models, the 1kW Spirit and 3kW Navy.

Electro-Mobile is a family company founded in Sweden in 1992 with a focus on eco-friendly electric motors in general for use in heavy equipment, cars, HVAC and power tools. Electro-Mobile offers two outboards motors under 5kW – the 4921-3kW and 4921-5kW.

Golden Motor has been a manufacturer of high power electric motors and controllers since 2007. The company also has motors available for e-bikes, motorcycles and cars and started conversion of used gasoline outboards to electric versions in 2012. Their EZ Outboard brand offers a line of trolling motors and two higher power outboards of 6.5 and 105.kW.

Karvin is a Czech Republic company that focuses its efforts exclusively on electric outboard. It offers one motor smaller than 5 kiloWatts – the 4500.

Krautler is a long-established Austrian manufacturer of industrial electric motors. They began construction of electric boat motors started in the 80’s mainly because they could not find a product that would live up to the standards of founder Oswald Kräutler. They continue to make electric motors for industrial and ship use and have a wide range of motors for smaller recreational power and sailboats.

Krautler Outboarder Adjustable Shaft 0.5kW – 2.4kW Download .pdf of spec sheet for all Krautler Adjustable Shaft Outboards

Krautler has a range of electric outboards that can be ordered with grip (tiller) or remote control (pin). They range from 0.5 kw (input) to 2.6 kW (input) and have two different types of electric motors: GPAV motors on the 0.5kW to 2.2kW models (DC motor with permanent magnets, continuous control) and ACAV (AC brushless three phase asynchronous motor) on the 2.4kW and 2.6kW models. This listing covers the whole range of outboard motors with adjustable shafts (under 5kW).

▪ kW (input): GPAV: 0.5, 0.8, 1.6, 2.2, ACAV: 2.4, 2.6 • Voltage: 24 (exception is 2.2: 36V) • HP: 0.67 – 3.5 ▪ Battery:  Separate, not sold by Krautler ▪ Running Time: Not available ▪ Shaft Length (cm):  85 • optional for up to 100cm ▪ Weight (kg): 18 – 33 ▪ Steering: Remote or Tiller ▪ Other: Includes: infinitely variable electric regulation system, single lever control (throttle), battery master switcher, battery fuse, battery monitor, anode for fresh water, cable set, fixed or folding propeller (depending on order) ▪ Country of Manufacture: Austria ▪ Price: US$1,500 – 2,000

Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd. was founded in 2001 in Suzhou, China. Their core technology team’s collective experience dates back to 1968, and includes working with OMC in the development of integral components for high-power outboard engines in the late 1990’s. The company works with Elco on the design, technology and patents for its electric outboard products as well as the global sourcing of key parts and materials. The company makes one outboard under 5kW, its 3.6kW Parsun 5HP.

Ray Outboards is a 3rd generation family-owned business founded by Mort Ray, who began designing his first electric outboard motor in 1973 in his basement and was manufacturing motors for sale by the next year. Morton passed away in 2018, so his family has taken up his mission to provide reliable, environmentally safe motors for the world. Ray manufactures one motor model which can operate at different power ratings according to the battery pack attached. The company does not provide kW rating, so these have been estimated from the voltage and amperage inputs.

Remigo is a Slovenian company that has take a totally fresh look at small electric outboards and has come up with a unique design with a mounting bracket on the boat’s transom that allows the motor to easily detach for stowing or carrying. It has a distinctive pillar design with integrated battery and 2 button control module.

Rim Drive technology is a Netherlands company with a line of rim motors in which the propeller blades are affixed to a rim rather than a central hub. There are no wearing parts within the motor and much reduced chance of weeds or other debris snagging or clogging. The motors are available as outboards, pods, azimuths and thrusters. The company offers complete systems or standalone batteries, controllers, monitors and other accessories. The company offers 3 models under 5 kW and an 11 kW model (see our Guide to Outboards Over 5kW). They are available without tiller (M designation) or with tiller (M-T).

Torqeedo is the leading manufacturer of electric outboards in the world. The company was founded in 2004 by Dr Christoph Ballin and Dr Friedrich Böbel when they decided they could build a better electric motor than the one on the boat Dr. Ballin had just purchased. The company offers trolling motors, inboards, outboards and pod motors and works with BMW’s battery division as well as partnering with many of the world’s premier boat designers and manufacturers. Apart from its line of small power kayak and trolling motors, it makes 5 models of outboard with power of less than 5kW.

The orqeedo 1003-C is the same motor as the Travel 1003 above but with a larger integrated battery pack: Li-ion with a capacity of 915 Wh Li-ion that weighs 6kgs and provides a range of 55 mins – 17.5 hrs • Price: $2500

Thanks, Great reference for options. Looking forward to the bigger motors.

Thank you, this may be an idiot question, but we not include a popular trolling motor it two. Seems that is the bug question to me. They are a lot less expensive, how do they stack up?

Hi Timothy. Thanks for your question, not idiot at all! Just working on the trolling motor guide as a separate category, along with kayak motors. There will be some overlap with this. It should be ready next week.

Torqeedo Cruise 4.0 is 48V not 24.

Thanks for the under 5kw guide – very useful. There is a problem about comparing electric outboards with petrol ones. The electric ones quote Thrust in lbs, with a rough HP equivalent. In general they seem to work on 1kw=3HP (not 1.3HP as you suggest). Petrol ones do not quote a figure for Thrust, but I have found a suggested range of 20-25 lbs per HP. That means a 3HP petrol engine would produce 60-75 lbs thrust. The 1kw electric motors produce around this (Torqeedo 1003C – 68 lbs; ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 – 66 lbs; Aquamot Trend 1.1 – 72 lbs).

Of course there is a difference between the power produced by a petrol engine, some of which is lost through the gearbox, and the thrust produced at the propeller by an electric engine. But the general relationship of 1kw=3HP looks about right.

Do you know of any detailed research into this? Could you do an article on it?

I think it would be worth adding a column giving thrust figures in your table of outboards under 5kw.

Thank you for the comprehensive list of electric outboards!

Do any of the electric outboards also work as hydro generators, perhaps after swapping out or adjusting the prop? Kind of silly to carry both an electric outboard and a hydrogenerator on a boat like a Corsair 880.

The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 has a hydro generation model.

Any idea regarding the Torqeedo 4.0R BMS compatibility with lithium batteries BMS from other manufacturers? Thank you.

Alle the ePropulsion Evo Models work as hydro generators… don’t know about the others. Got a Spirit Evo and that works well.

I owned a boat with a Rimdrive from RDT, same units as they are selling now as outboards. Great system, especially in water with a lot of debris in the water as this prop can easily be cleaned but simply stopping it a letting everything that is in, flow out.

Hercules Electric Marine and Coach Marine Group have announced an agreement that will have CMG electric pontoon boats available for

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