Electricity and water rarely mix, but that hasn't
stopped BMW from teaming up with Torqeedo, which is Germany's premier builder
of electric and hybrid boats. The partnership seems odd on the surface but the
two companies have worked together to ensure the lithium-ion battery from the
i3 will become part of Torqeedo's Deep Blue electric drive system.
Since the battery was designed with a plug-and-play
capability, the transition from automobile to boat is fairly simple. As the photos
suggest, Torqeedo simply mounts the battery in the rear of a boat and then
makes all the necessary connections.
According to Torqeedo CEO Christoph Ballin, “The BMW
i high-voltage batteries are a model of extraordinary reliability and
performance for electric mobility. They allow us to deliver state-of-the-art
electric propulsion technology and integrated energy management for leisure
craft and commercial marine applications.”
BMW says this is just the latest in a "wide
variety of applications that can be served by this integrated sustainability
concept." Other uses include using the battery for backup power in
residential and commercial buildings as well as storing clean energy created
from renewable sources such as solar or wind installations.
