All-electric personal watercraft launch for quieter lake journeysAll-electric personal watercraft launch for quieter lake journeys

Not all electric vehicles have wheels.
Electric boats have actually been around for quite awhile, and now a California startup is trying to expand use of electric powertrains to another type of watercraft.
Free Form Factory is partnering with Zero Motorcycles to use the motorcycle company’s electric-powertrain components in a “stand-up personal watercraft”—commonly known as a jet ski.
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Called the Gratis X1, it should at least be less disruptive to the tranquility of waterways than traditional internal-combustion jet skis.
As with electric cars, Free Form Factory also notes instantly-available torque as an advantage of its electric watercraft.
The hull and deck are made from a new polymer developed by Free Form Factory called “Hulklite.”
Free Form Factory Gratis X1 electric jet skiThe entire vehicle weighs 380 pounds.
In addition to keeping weight down, Free Form Factory claims the Hulklite hull is four times stronger than the fiberglass hulls of other personal watercraft, as well as 100 percent recyclable.
Power comes courtesy of a Zero Motorcycles Z-Force powertrain, including the company’s ZF 75-5 electric motor, and a 6.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
ALSO SEE: 2017 Zero electric motorcycles: more range, more power, better options (Nov 2016)
The motor produces 34 kilowatts (46 horsepower), allowing for a top speed of 40 knots (46 mph).
Battery capacity is enough for up to 45 minutes of running time, according to Free Form Factory.
Customers can also specify an optional 3.3-kwh pack that combines with the standard 6.5-kwh pack.
Free Form Factory Gratis X1 electric jet skiSimilar to the configuration available on Zero electric motorcycles, this booster pack adds up to 20 minutes of running time to the Gratis X1.
The jet ski can only be charged through a 110-volt outlet; no higher-power charging options are available.
CHECK OUT: Electric Boats: As In Cars, Battery Power Offers Advantages On The Water (Aug 2014)
Charging takes three hours with the integrated 6.5-kwh battery pack, and four hours with the add-on 3.3-kwh pack.
Pricing for the Gratis X1 starts at $17,990, and company representatives recently told Electrek that the initial production run of this electric jet ski will consist of just 35 units.
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