Jeanneau NC37 Hybrid/Electric Propulsion
At the test facility in Göteborg dealers and press members were offered the chance to experience this prototype of the manufacturer’s first hybrid propulsion system. You know something special is going on when both Johan Inden, president of Volvo Penta’s Marine Division and Erik Stromberg Beneteau’s Vice-President of Power en Motor Yachts invite dealers and press for a test. The Jeanneau NC37 is powered by a plug-in hybrid propulsion system and is a prototype that will be brought to the market in 2025.
With the ongoing electrification Volvo has decided not to build any more vehicles with combustion engines from 2030. The Volvo Penta’s Marine Division is also exploring the subject of e-mobility on the water, involving extensive utilization of their resources.
Plug-in Parallel Hybrid
The System:
- a standard Jennaeau NC37
- equipped with two D4-320 diesel engines featuring Aquamatic Sterndrive transmission
- + two 30 kW electric motors integrated witch each of the diesel engines
- eight MG Lithium-Ion batteries with a total capacity of 67 kWh.
- MG Master HV
A fascinating aspect of the parallel hybrid system is its capability to utilize the two electric motors for recharging the batteries even while sailing with combustion engines. Additionally, a second charging mode is available for when the boat is stationary. By simply adjusting the throttle handles and disengaging the transmission, the two diesel engines can be set to 1,500 rpm, resulting in a remarkable 60 kW/hour (2×30 kW) recharge rate. This charge is sufficient to fully replenish the batteries in just an hour or achieve one-third of their capacity in a mere 20 minutes.
This is a great feature, especially during quiet nights at anchorage, as it allows the boat to rely solely on the batteries for all on-board services. The boat’s impressive maximum speed reaches 35 knots, and it can sail up to 10 knots using electric power alone, providing a range of 15 nautical miles at a constant speed of 5 knots, which is equivalent to approximately 3 hours of travel time.
The MG Energy Systems batteries are housed in two separate compartments—one located beneath the saloon’s floor level, which also contains the control unit, and the other positioned near the central cabin.
Electric, Hybrid, and Power modes
During navigation, you can select from three options using the touch screen: Electric, Hybrid, and Power mode. In Electric mode, the boat operates entirely on electric power. The Hybrid mode initiates electric propulsion at low speeds and seamlessly transitions to combustion engines when reaching 1,500 rpm. As for the Power mode, it follows the conventional approach of utilizing only the diesel engines.
Wait until 2025?
When dealers and press test the vessel and everything on the plug-in parallel hybrid Jeanneau NC 37 runs so seamlessly smoothly and the advantages are so great,questions arise as to why the release will take so long, until 2025? The answer is of course as with all transitions from prototype to serial production is a time-consuming process from a technical standpoint.
MG Energy Systems is proud to be part of the energy transition and the cooperation with Volvo Penta and Beneteau to deliver the battery system for the Jeanneau NC37 with Hybrid/Electric Propulsion.
Test results and reviews from the invited press
German:
Boote-magazin
English:
Boating Magazine
Youtube:
Power and Motoryacht
Italian:
Vela E Motore:
