Conversion is the way forward

Bengt de Vylder sees converting older boats to electric operation as a crucial strategy to get more electric boats on the market.

"Shall we begin?" I ask, and so begins the interview about Bengt de Vylder and his views on the future of boating - a future that may already be here.

Bengt de Vylder smiles contentedly and turns on some 70s music that blends with the sound of water against the sides of the boat. This, I think, is the essence of electric boating - an experience where nature takes center stage.

Can electric boats be for everyone?

Bengt went from being a trained pilot in the US to training as an environmental engineer back home in Norway. He has now worked with green energy and climate issues for 25 years and been a passionate sailor for 45 years. He runs two companies that work in different ways to deliver climate-smart and sustainable solutions. The small Polar 20 electric boat we are sitting in is the result of the work of one of his companies, Silent Sea.
Bengt is involved in both the climate-friendly and the technological aspects of electric boats. He is particularly fascinated by how electric motors use energy compared to electric cars.
"A diesel or gasoline car uses 30% of the energy for propulsion and 70% is wasted, while an electric car or electric boat uses 90% of the energy for the propulsion itself," he says.
His eyes light up when he explains this, and it makes me curious about how he sees the future. Does he think electric boats can be for everyone, and if so, what will it take?

If the development is driven only by chance and individual enthusiasts, electric boats will not become common property. With a comprehensive strategy and plan, however, it is entirely possible, he says. It's about bans, fees, adaptations and support. Bengt draws parallels with the development of electric cars and points out that incentives are needed to make electric boats a realistic choice for more people and at the same time put pressure on prices. "There won't be many until it's cheap, and it won't be cheap until there are many," he explains.

Obstacles and opportunities

De Vylder says the biggest barriers to electric boats today are price, range anxiety and charging anxiety - barriers reminiscent of the problems electric cars faced in the early days. He urges people to think about how they use their boats. Maybe there is time for a short charging stop along the way? Above all, he emphasizes the importance of the consumer feeling that society wants to move in this direction. For those who want faster electric boats, like an archipelago jeep, access to fast chargers along the coast would reduce charging and range anxiety.

Bengt makes it clear that if society wants to electrify boating, benefits similar to those for electric cars could be introduced to reduce barriers. "For example, you can get priority berths in ports, maybe free electricity, half the cost of a berth and so on. But first people need to know that electric boats exist and are available today, not just in the future."
On the positive side, he highlights the many benefits of electric boats, such as quiet operation, simple and reliable technology, and the joy of contributing to a better environment and climate. These benefits make for a slightly different boating experience.

Discovering the archipelago in a new way

Bengt de Vylder describes how the electric Polar we are sitting in gives a completely different experience of the archipelago - a quiet and present feeling of enjoying nature, almost like kayaking. In the past, with the diesel engine, you drove straight across the fjord to get there quickly. Now he chooses instead to follow the fjords and archipelago, which gives a completely new experience of the nearby landscape.

Conversion of boats as a transition strategy

Bengt sees the conversion of older boats to electric power as a crucial strategy to get more electric boats on the market. "There are many boats with a long lifespan that are still in use. In Norway today there are about 60,000 sailboats over 15-20 feet, but only about 10 new electric boats are introduced each year. Retrofitting existing boats is the way to go.
Although an electric engine may be a bigger investment than a new fossil fuel engine, the fuel savings over time provide an economic benefit. But as Bengt points out, it's not just about economics - converting to electric power is also an important environmental investment. By choosing an electric engine over fossil fuel, boat owners contribute to a significant reduction in emissions and a more sustainable future for both the marine environment and the climate.

Charging infrastructure in ports already today

According to Bengt, the current infrastructure in ports is sufficient for most electric boats. Apart from exceptions, such as long boat trips or fast boats, it is usually possible to charge at current port facilities. "It's like electric cars - most people charge at home."
However, the need for fast charging is a challenge for high-speed electric boats and commercial vessels. Bengt describes the energy use of a fast electric boat as driving an electric car up a steep hill in snow with a trailer.
"Ports have not prepared for fast charging because the demand is not there - yet," he says. "It's like the chicken or the egg question - which comes first?"