With the intention of creating greater onboard convenience and a more natural sailing environment, Fountaine-Pajot will assist in the installation, trials and demonstration of Volvo Penta’s pioneering electromobility technology.

Volvo Penta has announced that it is to collaborate with leading French boat builder Fountaine-Pajot as it prepares to demonstrate its latest prototype electromobility technology.

 The initiative is part of Volvo Penta’s commitment to offer electrified solutions in its marine and industrial product ranges. This is being driven by Volvo Penta’s belief that the needs of environmental sustainability and customer requirements are getting ever closer, as electrified options become increasingly feasible.

 ‘Learning together’

 “This collaboration with Fountaine-Pajot is a strong endorsement of the faith in the market for this type of new technology and our ability to deliver a viable solution,” says Johan Inden, President of Region Europe at Volvo Penta. “Fountaine-Pajot’s wealth of knowledge, closeness to its customers and data regarding how boat owners use their vessels is proving invaluable in helping to deliver a real-world proof-of-concept, and in delivering an electric solution that gives significant benefits to customers. We are going to be learning how to maximize the benefits of this new technology in real-world situations together.”

 “We also see significant benefits in this alliance,” agrees Vincent Laigo, head of Design Office at Fountaine-Pajot. “There is a significant and growing proportion of our customer base that is looking for greater on-board living convenience, lower maintenance, increased sustainability and a more natural sailing experience. We believe that the new electric technology being developed by Volvo Penta will answer many of these customer aspirations. We are also confident that this technical solution will be well supported around the world.”

Innovative partnership

Fountaine-Pajot is one of France’s leading boat builders and a long-term customer of Volvo Penta. An innovator in its own right, the company was founded in 1976 and has its production base at La Rochelle, where it manufactures over 600 units a year. The company has its own research and development department, where it has developed several innovative processes, including the ability to make boat hulls by injection molding.

Volvo Penta’s new electromobility technology will be installed in a Fountaine-Pajot Lucia 40 sailing catamaran, which will then act as the first demonstration boat fitted with the system. The installation and subsequent sea trials will be held over the coming months, where the system’s performance and durability will be fine-tuned.

A more in-depth review of the new technology will be published in the coming months, as Volvo Penta moves to lift the lid on the latest innovation during fall 2019.

Check the video for more details: http://bit.ly/2wdigMY