Auckland-based marine technology company Vessev has launched the VS-Drive, a submersible propulsion system designed to address overheating issues in electric marine motors.
The podded motor features an internal closed-loop cooling system that maintains operating temperatures below 50°C, allowing the vessels to perform consistently across different climates. The system combines active cooling with custom direct-drive brushless motors in a modular design.
“The VS-Drive began as a clean-sheet design to overcome one of the trickiest challenges in electric marine propulsion: overheating,” said Vessev co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Max Olson. “The result is sustained high-torque output, and unparalleled performance in tropical climates.”
The motor currently powers the VS-9, Vessev’s nine-metre battery-electric hydrofoiling catamaran. The company plans to scale the technology to larger vessels in development, including 12 and 18-metre models, as well as a recreational vessel.
The VS-Drive delivers 65 kW of continuous power at 25 knots, with peak output reaching 110 kW. By connecting the motor directly to the propeller, the design eliminates gearboxes and long driveshafts, reducing the number of moving parts compared to internal combustion engines.
The motor operates near-silently and includes long-life bearings rated for 40,000 miles or 48 months. Sensors monitor the system’s health and performance in real time, while the modular design allows components to be easily disassembled for servicing.
A vectorable rudder mounting provides low-speed maneuverability, which works with Vessev’s fully retractable foiling system to enable operation in various marine environments and marina configurations.
Vessev CEO Eric Laakmann said the VS-Drive will unlock new possibilities for electric marine transport. “We’re excited to see operators around the world benefit from this propulsion technology across a range of applications,” he said.
New Zealand’s largest ferry operator currently runs a VS-9 in daily service using the VS-Drive system. The company reports it has customers across three continents awaiting delivery of vessels.
The VS-Drive’s development received co-funding from the New Zealand government’s Low Emission Transport Fund, administered by EECA, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
Vessev designs and builds electric hydrofoiling vessels in Auckland. The company’s team includes professionals with backgrounds from the America’s Cup, Rocket Lab, Apple, Google and Tesla.
