STOWE, Vt. — Snowmobiles are part of the winter soundtrack in this part of Vermont, at their worst shattering the stillness of the forest like motorcycles on skis. But the motorized sleds bouncing along a wooded mountain trail in February were silent except for the whoosh of metal runners on snow.
The machines, made by a start-up Canadian company, Taiga, were battery-powered — the first electric snowmobiles to be sold widely — and symbols of how conveyances of all kinds are migrating to emission-free propulsion. Taiga is also offering battery-powered personal watercraft, another form of recreation where the gasoline version is regarded in some circles as a scourge. While electric cars get most of the attention, electric lawn mowers, boats, bicycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles are proliferating. In some categories, battery-powered machines are gaining market share faster than electric cars are conquering the auto world. Start-up companies are wooing investors by claiming to be the Teslas of the boating, cycling, or lawn and garden industry. The environmental benefits are potentially significant. Unlike cars and trucks, outboard motors or lawn mowers do not usually have catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions. They are noisy, and they often use lower-quality fuel. A gasoline lawn mower generates as much pollution in an hour as a 300-mile car trip, according to the California Air Resources Board. California has passed legislation to ban gasoline-powered mowers beginning in 2024, and all new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. But sales of electric alternatives are growing even without a push from government. One of the first customers for Taiga snowmobiles was Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico, which markets itself as an environmentally conscious ski resort. The Taos ski patrol and trail maintenance workers will use the electric snowmobiles for tasks like transporting injured skiers or servicing snow-making equipment, said David Norden, the chief executive of Taos Ski Valley. When skiing resumes this year, Taos also plans to deploy an electric snow-grooming machine made by Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug, a German firm. Even if the electric snowmobiles, which start at $17,500, are more expensive than gasoline counterparts, which can be had for less than $10,000, the resort will save money on fuel and maintenance, Mr. Norden said. “You do the cost-benefit analysis, you’re probably close to break even,” he said. “These are not only decisions for the environment but also good decisions for our bottom line.” But sometimes people are converting to electrical power because it offers practical advantages. Buyers of electric lawn and garden equipment polled by the Freedonia Group, a research firm, cited noise reduction, low maintenance costs and no need to store cans of gasoline in the garage as their most important priorities. Often electric leaf blowers or string trimmers are cheaper and lighter than gasoline versions. The lawn and garden industry has gone electric faster than the car industry. In 2020, electric mowers, leaf blowers and other equipment accounted for 17 percent of the market in the United States, according to Freedonia. That’s more than three times the share of electric vehicles in the U.S. car market. A Critical Year for Electric VehiclesAs the overall auto market stagnates, the popularity of battery-powered cars is soaring worldwide.Many people are hesitant to buy an electric car because they worry about running out of power far from a charger. Range anxiety is not a concern in the backyard. “You’re not worried about taking a road trip in a lawn mower,” said Jennifer Mapes-Christ, manager of commercial and consumer products research at Freedonia. But electrifying boats and other vehicles often presents technological challenges. Electrical energy works for smaller watercraft or boats that do not travel very far. It’s the only option on the hundreds of lakes where conventional outboard motors are banned because of noise or pollution. Because water creates so much resistance, however, big power boats require amounts of continuous power that are beyond what batteries available today can provide. (Sailboats, of course, have operated on wind power for thousands of years.) Batteries are “part of the answer to the future but not necessarily the complete answer,” said David Foulkes, the chief executive of Brunswick, which makes Mercury marine engines. Still, Mercury has unveiled a prototype electric outboard motor and is watching the shift to electrification carefully. “We intend to be a leader in this space,” said Mr. Foulkes, who drives a battery-powered Porsche. “Even if the market is small at the moment, we want to be there and see what the market does.” Some engineers are taking advantage of the shift to electrification to rethink design. An offshore racing series known as E1, which plans to begin staging events in Miami and other cities next year, will use battery-powered boats equipped with hydrofoils that lift the hulls above the water, greatly reducing resistance. “We have to change the paradigm,” said Rodi Basso, the chief executive of E1. “This is what Tesla has done.” Just as Tesla has upended the auto industry, start-up firms are challenging companies that have long dominated their markets. Flux Marine is one of several companies trying to adapt electrical power for watercraft. With the help of $15 million in venture capital, it plans to begin selling electric outboard motors made at a plant in Bristol, R.I., this summer. Ben Sorkin, the chief executive of Flux Marine, who was a summer intern at Tesla, conceded that battery power was not practical for large offshore fishing boats and the like. “Given what’s available right now, electric propulsion is a niche market,” Mr. Sorkin said. But he said the market would expand as batteries improved and became practical for bigger and bigger motors. Flux Marine’s biggest motor is rated at 70 horsepower, and the numbers will continue to rise, Mr. Sorkin said. “Every five or so years, the sweet spot shifts up,” he said. Major manufacturers of boats, snowmobiles and mowers have been slow to go electric. John Deere, the largest manufacturer of self-propelled mowers, does not offer battery-powered alternatives but plans to discuss its electrification strategy with investors at an event May 25-26. The recent history of the auto industry could serve as a warning to the established companies. Just as slow-moving car companies initially ceded territory to Tesla and are trying to catch up, new companies like Taiga are exploiting wide-open markets. Samuel Bruneau, Taiga’s chief executive, said electrifying snowmobiles was a challenge because the batteries and motors needed to cope with extreme temperatures and bumpy terrain. “No one was coming into that space, because it would require new technology,” he said. “That is the opportunity we saw.” Competition is coming. BRP, a company based in Quebec that makes Ski-Doo snowmobiles as well as all-terrain vehicles and motorboats, has said it will offer electric versions of all its products by 2026. The company also plans to enter the motorcycle market with a line of electric two-wheelers in 2024. “There is a trend out there driven by the automobile,” said José Boisjoli, the chief executive of BRP, which is the largest snowmobile maker. “We can’t ignore it.” But he said the transition would happen more slowly in recreation. For one thing, the markets are much smaller, making it harder to achieve the cost savings that come with mass production. Fewer than 135,000 snowmobiles were sold worldwide in 2021, compared with roughly 60 million cars. And snowmobiles and powerboats don’t receive the government subsidies or tax breaks that can cut thousands of dollars off the price of an electric car. Charging is also an issue in the woods. Taiga has installed charging stations alongside a popular snowmobile trail network in Quebec, and plans more. But snowmobilers who venture deep into the wilderness will still prefer gasoline, Mr. Boisjoli said. “The combustion engine will be present in snowmobiles for a long time,” he said. Dominic Jacangelo, executive director of the New York State Snowmobile Association, agreed that long-distance snowmobilers, who can easily travel more than 100 miles a day, would be skeptical. Still, Mr. Jacangelo said he was eager to try out a Taiga. “In terms of performance, you’ve got a sled that will keep up with anything else out there on the market,” he said. Because electric snowmobiles are quieter, they could help reduce friction between snowmobilers and people who consider the machines an affront to nature. That would open up more terrain for snowmobiles. “Certainly,” Mr. Jacangelo said, “an electric sled is going to change a lot of environmentalists’ view of snowmobiling.”
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Taiga Motors Corporation (“Taiga”) (TSX: TAIG), a leading developer of electric off-road vehicles, announced today the launch of its online configurator tool. Customers who have deliveries slated for this year now have the unique ability to order and customize their Orca personal watercraft. Along with the configurator, Taiga also released model details, specifications, and colours. Taiga continues to redefine the powersport landscape by offering innovative electric technologies as well as customization designed to help customers build the perfect ride. Each customer will also be paired with a Taiga experience specialist to help tailor their Orca from configuration to demonstration experience and to final hand-off. “We are excited to take the next step in driving preorders and fulfilling deliveries by launching our Orca online configurator,” said Samuel Bruneau, CEO of Taiga. “Our team has demonstrated an impressive agility to mitigate the production delays resulting from the global microprocessor shortage by designing a new chip architecture that will bring both watercraft and snowmobile platforms into production in 2021. We have also taken the opportunity to make additional investments to increase production capacity in our Montreal facility to meet rapidly growing demand for our watercraft.”
Taiga has expanded manufacturing and R&D activities to a second facility in Montreal that will more than double its previously planned production footprint in the interim period while its high-volume Shawinigan facility is under construction. To address the global semiconductor shortage, Taiga has worked diligently to source alternative supplies for its vehicles and has adjusted its manufacturing processes to accommodate such alternatives. Taiga will begin production of both the Orca Carbon and Founder’s edition models this summer with initial deliveries beginning in September 2021. Alongside watercraft production, Taiga’s Orca Sport and Performance models are now expected to begin production in early 2022. Taiga’s Orca models are born from years of testing by hundreds of users across lakes, rivers, and oceans for uncompromising access to on-water adventures. Orca Carbon and Founder’s edition models redefine the recreational watercraft experience with silent operation, a unique carbon composite hull with leading power-to-weight ratios, maintenance-free ownership, and intelligent connectivity. Agreement combines GM technology with Pure Watercraft propulsion systems to expand all-electric marine transportation General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today it has acquired a 25 percent ownership stake in Pure Watercraft, a Seattle-based company that specializes in creating all-electric boating solutions.
The collaboration between GM and Pure Watercraft advances a shared vision to promote sustainability through an expansion of zero-emissions mobility for future generations and reflects the holistic approach necessary for widespread EV adoption. "GM's stake in Pure Watercraft represents another exciting opportunity to extend our zero-emissions goal beyond automotive applications," said Dan Nicholson, GM vice president of Global Electrification, Controls, Software & Electronics. "Building upon GM's existing efforts to strategically deploy our technology across rail, truck and aerospace industries, the combined expertise of these two enterprises should result in future zero-emissions marine product offerings, providing consumers with more choice than before." Through 2025, GM is investing $35 billion in electric and autonomous vehicle technology — including work to improve performance and reduce battery costs — to become the market leader in EVs in North America. The Pure Outboard from Pure Watercraft uses groundbreaking efficiency to benefit a boat's performance while reducing environmental pollution, and boasts much lower operating cost and maintenance than traditional marine propulsion systems. "Our mission is to enable a new era in boating," said Andy Rebele, founder and CEO of Pure Watercraft. "This joint effort with GM is expected to enable us to make significant technological advancements in range and charging, while achieving volume production." The collaboration will leverage Pure Watercraft's innovative marine propulsion technology and experience in the commercial marine industry with GM's engineering, supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. The two companies will develop and commercialize battery electric watercraft, integrating GM technology into a variety of applications, helping to accelerate the industry's transition to electric mobility. Specific product offerings that occur from the collaboration will be disclosed at a later date. Barclays acted as Exclusive Financial Advisor to Pure Watercraft on the transaction. General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com. Pure Watercraft is leading a fundamental transformation of boating. Founded in 2011 in Seattle, Washington, the company delivers innovative electric marine propulsion that preserves the air and waterways for future generations. For more information on Pure Watercraft, including its products, partners and career opportunities visit https://www.purewatercraft.com/ Do to the EPA'S wording that the vehicle engine and fuel system must remain the sames as it was when vehicle was sold off the show room floor. And seeing the large fines to performance engine parts manufactures and dealers. We have decided to discontinued the aftermarket high performance engine parts which includes aftermarket exhaust systems, aftermarket turbo chargers, aftermarket supercharges and ECU Re-flash. The other concern we have is the EPA in the future could start having the local police seize vehicles for what they would see as non EPA compliant performance engine or fuel system parts and we do not want any of our customers coming back mad at us for losing their vehicle from a part we had sold them 3yrs down the road. Thus, We will still make and sell aftermarket performance pumps, impellers, replacement parts, drive, transmissions, body parts, handling parts and accessories ect. Impellers.com
Jet Ski Clubs Some of The most popular Jet ski clubs in the U.S. and abroad. Most accepted riders from other places. Many PWC Clubs include other types of personal watercraft vehicles (pwc) as well, like Kawasaki, Sea Doo clubs, Yamaha Waverunner clubs and Honda watercraft clubs. Touch base with these Jet Skiing clubs to find new places to ride, and learn about upcoming Jet Ski events in your local area. For Jet Ski Addicts. Good reasons to join an established Jet Ski club: 1 They are committed to saving Jet Ski riding areas 2 You will get the latest info on Jet Ski riding spots, Camping and events. 3 One of the best is you meet new Jet friends who love the watercraft sport. We have a list of Watercraft clubs that club owners That are Hhave sent us to post below. If you have an watercraft club, PWC club or Jet Ski club then s addicts e info. Club Name: link of your page with our Impellers.com link (linking back to us). 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Morgigno Aurora, CO 303-766-1334 Ancient City Wave Runners Roger Kaman St. Augustine, FL 904-463-3340 Dixie Jetski Junkies Austin Taylor Tallahasse, FL 850-562-4541 www.djsj.eworldz.com Emerald Coast Jetski Riders Derek Bowles Navarre, FL 850-308-5699 Jacksonville Jet Riders www.jacksonvillejetriders.com Jet Ski Junkies USA KEV & ANGI TAMPA, FL 941-723-9896 http://WWW.IWANNAJETSKI.COM Dade County Riders Miami FL @dadecountyriders River Club 64 Southbeach Miami, Fl @riverclub_64 Ski-B-G-B's Will Jackson Hawthorne FL 352-226-1454 SoFla Riders Tom Gregory Weston FL www.soflariders.net Space Coast Jet Riders Bill Hills Melbourne FL www.spacecoastjetriders.com Tampa Bay Jet Ski ClubKen Lipe Tampa Bay Area FL www.tampabayjetskiclub.com Hawaiian Water Rescue Guillermo Coscarelli Kihei, HI 808-870-5337 PWC Offshore Rescue Hawaii Grant Henry Honolulu HI 808-970-492 IA-IL River Riders Leon Genther Davenport, IA 563-505-8787 Midwest Watercraft Fred Zbinden Normal, IL 309-530-1898 Indiana Personal Watercraft Owners AssociationDavid Thomas Herring Carmel, IN 317-938-0660 Louisville River Rats Steve Kresko Louisville, KY 270-304-6881 Calcasieu Watercraft Association Heather Robinson Southwest, LA 337-589-0028 JETSKI Association of Massachusetts David Dubriske Franklin, MA 774-266-07 Chesapeake Raiders (Club Shut Down VIA Martin) No Longer! Annapolis, MD DMV Full Throttle Jet Ski Club Dion Woodard Germantown, MD 301-385-6289 dmvfullthrottlejetskiclub-com.webs.com/ OCMD Wave Jumpers Brian Korody Ocean City MD 301-252-4792 Michigan Raiders Tony Rader Muskegon, MI 231-740-1536 West mi pwc club Http://westmipwc.com 616-634-2854 Grandrapids, Mi PWC Technology Kevin Bruins Holland MI Twin Cities Jet Pilots Nick Ericson Lakeland MN 651-967-7823 www.tcjetpilots.com PWC-USA.NET VInce Williams St. Charles MO (314) 413-11 Southwest MO Peter Hartman Springfield MO 417-849-9654 www.southwestmostandups.org NC Jet Pack Josh Stevens Burlington NC 336-214-9472 www.ncjetpack.com Northside Freeride Jaime Timmreck Bismarck ND 701-400-5971 Jersey Shore Powersports Association John Piersanti Browns Mills, NJ 609-280-4515 NJ/PA Crew Greg Evans NJ and Eastern PA 215-859-7812 www.njpacrew.org Northeast PWC Ed Emerle Eastern PA and NJ 856-495-6970 https://www.facebook.com/groups/58050374872/ Adirondack Jet Ski Club Jimmy Dwyer Gloversville, NY 518-725-6777 www.adirondackjetskiclub.com Jetty Jumpers Anthony Stallone & Lena Nicoletti Brooklyn, NY 917-567-7595 www.jettyjumpers.com Strong Island Jet Ski Long Island New York www.strongislandjetskis.com WNY PWC Owners Western New York (Buffalo) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wnypwcowners/ Website: https://craigrwitt.wixsite.com/wnypwcowners Reservoir Dawgs PWC Club Matt Conroy New Albany OH (614) 855-21 Tri State PWC Club Ray Hedger Cincinnati OH 513-260-2422 www.tristatepwc.com Eastern PA River Runners Watson Domurat Birdsboro, PA 610-404-0061 www.easternpariverrunners.org Charlotte Shredders Brad MaloneyFORT MILL, SC 734-904-8014 Palmetto Watercraft Association of South Carolina Robert Cormany Columbia SC 803-292-3345 www.palmettowatercraft.com Middle tennessee Personal Watercraft Club Mike Majka Smyrna, TN 615-429-2599 www.mtpwc.com Volunteer PWC Riders Club Jesse Richardson Hendersonville TN 615-456-7938 Bay Area PWC Association Theresa Roberts Houston, TX 832-819-0992 www.bapwa.com Golden Triangle PWC Club Ronnie Walston Beaumont, TX 409-796-1832 Bear Lake Jet Boat Club Ken Hansen Garden City, UT 435-946-8600 Capital Area PWC Club Tim Brown Manassas, VA 703-597-6333 www.dcjetski.com Virginia Beach Wavejunkies Allen Loree Virginia Beach VA (757) 536-72 www.wavejunkies.com Orca Man PWC Club Howard 'Orca Man' Garton Seattle WA 206-407-4653 www.go-orcaman.com Pacific Northwest Jet Sports Joe McLaughlin Vancouver WA 360-883-5642 'MKE' Jetski Club (Milwaukee Jetski Club) Dominik Grzyb Milwak, WI 62728 414-455-4343 We have put together a gift for her and gift for him guide for the 2021 Christmas season. 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Jet Ski News & Jet BoatJet Ski news & Jet Boat info for Yamaha Waverunner Sea Doo Polaris Jet Ski Honda pwc & Boats. Including: events, racing clubs, models manufactures Impellers props and boating. A watercraft PWC Jetski Magazine. Categories
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