Gas Vs. Electric Powered Surfboards

Given the advancements in batteries over the past few years, the gap between gas and electric is closing quickly. Some may say that the gap has already been closed. I will break down this argument into the most popular points asked by our marketplace:

Costs:

Yes, at 1st an electric board cost more: upfront.

When considered gas, maintenance, replacement parts, time and consideration, break and fix these costs gap closes quickly over time.

In time (in many circumstances) within 1 season one would at least break even, with an additional battery purchase.

Performance:

We are seeing better torque from our Electric Surfboards than from gas. The batteries that are out there have really come a long way in wattage, voltage, and reduction in charge time. Also given there is one variable – electrical current controlling torque with Electric Motors, as apposed to 3 with gas, again performance, speed, and simplicity goes to Electric.

Weight:

Electric Motors are lighter and have less components than Gas Motors; on average. The issue is that the batteries usually weigh more than a full gas compartment. Having said that, the gap is closing and currently the difference is very slight.

Environment:

In truth, this is a touchy subject, and requires research from where you reside. 

Many places around the world now have end-of-life battery depots. Depending on your location, battery recycling may be advanced or “slim to none”. Although the adoption of recycling batteries is becoming more of a world-wide norm, even at the depots, the question of what happens to this battery can be a discerning question. On this note as well, determining the environmental footprint on electric power again can be a difficult task.

Moving to a gas-powered engine, one of the many poor environmental results is carbon. Given these boards are an aquatic mode of transportation the end-product is bad for the water, environment, etc. In many cases the marketing terms for environmentally friendly gas-powered motors are thus: “market-ware”. When you take off, in most cases, there is still a gas smear on the water.

It will be interesting over the next short term to watch the marketplace for gas vs. electric powered watercraft. Battery advancements make it an interesting argument to go with electric. The main question is, “Are we, as a marketplace, ready?” 

Let your purchasing dollars toll your votes.

I will sign off till the next blog. Again, thank you for reading!! We look forward to your comments: info@cywnow.com