This is the R30, an electric boat conceived by Blue Innovations Group (BIG), a company founded by Tesla’s former head of global manufacturing John Vo. BIG is developing the R30 around a lightweight and strong aluminum hull and a battery pack that will be housed in the boat’s frame. Current plans call for it to use lithium-iron phosphate battery cells and for the pack itself to have 221 kWh of capacity. The battery will be liquid-cooled and power a pair of electric motors that combine to deliver 800 hp.
The design of the R30 isn’t overly
unconventional but it’s still noteworthy. For starters, the hull is finished in
blue and it has a fixed canopy, windshield, and side glass. There is a small
cooking area directly behind the cab as well as an area with seating and a
table. These renderings also showcase the R30 with wooden-clad floors while
extendable solar panels deploy out of the canopy and can provide 2.7 kW of
solar power. A large sunbed is also found in front of the cab.
The cab of BIG’S creation appears to take
some inspiration from Tesla’s current production models. Immediately catching
the eye are the two massive touchscreens sitting on the dashboard that look
like they’ve been lifted out of a Tesla Model 3. A host of hidden features are
also found in the R30, including three swim panels that fold out from the rear.
BIG intends on unveiling a prototype of
its aluminum hull at next month’s CES event in Las Vegas before the development
of an alpha model and four beta models commence. If all goes well, BIG could
begin customer deliveries in the second quarter of 2024.
As for the price? Well, according to
Electrek, it’s expected to set back buyers a minimum of US$ 300,000.
