FUTURISTIC SOLAR-POWERED CATAMARAN RESULTED IN A COLLABORATION BETWEEN VOLKSWAGEN AND SILENT YACHTS

The German automaker, Volkswagen, has recently announced its plans to use its eclectic vehicle platform and create a new solar-electric catamaran.

Volkswagen has partnered with Austrian builder Silent Yachts to launch a new endeavor that will at some point see the same electric powertrains currently used in VW’s ID.3 and ID.4 installed in multiple ocean-going multihulls.

Silent Yachts are also known as the Teslas of the seas, equipped with solar panels and lithium batteries with the intent to eliminate any disastrous effects on the environment including noise, emissions, fumes, or vibrations.

While the current fleet is already impressive, with a new set up, modular e-drive system (MEB) by VW, the vessel will be even more powerful, less expensive, and easier to service.

The first solar-electric catamaran with MEB propulsion on the water is expected to be completed in 2022. After four years, the plan is to produce at least 50 of the MEB-based Silent Yacht 50 per year, and more if needed.