Engine manufacturer Volvo Penta has outlined plans to offer hybrid and all-electric power solutions for marine users by 2021.
"Volvo Penta is embracing the electric transformation and will be at the forefront in delivering compelling business cases to customers using this new technology," says Björn Ingemanson, president of Volvo Penta.
"We will take a full systems supplier approach helping our customers in the transition to the new technology. This will happen application-by-application, on the basis that the business case for switching to electric will differ across our many customer segments."
Ingemanson added that while the shift to electric power is part of a "long-term transition", diesel and gasoline-powered primary drive systems will remain the most appropriate power source for many applications for years to come.
Johan Inden, Volvo Penta chief technology officer, says the company is already several years into its electrification journey.
"We have spent this time building competencies, experience and establishing the technologies required to deliver a sustainable power solutions road map," he says. "The advanced engineering projects we are currently running, and the performance data received gives us confidence that we are on the right technology path to offer customers a compelling business case for electrification."
As part of the switch to electric propulsion, Volvo Penta said it will be ramping up its electrification investment program. As part of this process, it has already established an electromobility development-and-test laboratory at its Swedish headquarters.
In the future, the company plans to offer both hybrid and all-electric solutions from the outset and is already field testing prototypes with system validation under way.
"We have a deep understanding of power systems in a wide variety of applications, which we will use to help customers meet the transformation towards sustainable power solutions in the months and years ahead," says Inden.
"These solutions will not just be more sustainable, they will also be high performance – delivering a no compromise win-win offering for customers and the environment."