The Round Britain eRIB challenge is a not-for-profit event which aims to support the marine industry’s transition to electric propulsion for leisure and small commercial craft. To do this an 18-year-old skipper from Taunton, Somerset will attempt to drive an electric boat around Britain in Summer 2024. Setting off from Lyme Regis in Dorset, the team will be using a variety of shoreside charging solutions.
This environmental challenge stems from the absence of alternatives to fossil fuel propulsion in the small leisure powerboat sector. The electric RIB will be used to showcase the capabilities of electric propulsion in UK coastal waters.
A significant part of the Round Britain eRIB project is to demonstrate charging options for sailing clubs, marinas, harbour authorities, port operators and private owners to support the transition of their vessels to electric, zero emission propulsion. Encouraging and building knowledge about the charging options for eBoats helps build momentum in the direction of the UK Government target which states in the Clean Maritime Plan 2050 that “all new vessels being ordered for use in UK waters are being designed with zero emission propulsion capability.”
The Round Britain eRIB project, which was deferred from last year, has today announced the following Sponsors:
HARRIS MAXUS will be providing their 100% electric T90EV pickup truck as a ground support vehicle. With a range of 220 miles and a payload of 1000Kg this vehicle is the first of its kind in the UK.
Mark Barrett, Managing Director of Group Franchise at Harris Group, distributor of MAXUS in the UK and Ireland, said: “MAXUS is proud to support Harry as he embarks on his quest to circumnavigate Britain in an electric power boat and we wish Harry all the best on his journey. The eRIB challenge embodies the spirit of innovation and environmental stewardship which aligns so closely with our brand. As part of our support, we are providing Harry’s team with a MAXUS T90EV pickup truck, allowing the team to stay emission free at every mile as they follow Harry on his trip around Britain.
“This partnership is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a shared journey towards a greener future. People like Harry are an inspiration, prompting others to take action and chart a course towards a brighter, cleaner tomorrow and we are delighted to play our small part in this mission.”
The OCEAN FAMILY FOUNDATION (OFF) has four founding families who collectively are passionate about the world’s oceans and feel an energised responsibility to contribute positively towards conserving our life supporting marine biome. OFF has allocated the project a cash grant to support the public engagement campaign for greener propulsion.
“As Ocean Family Foundation, we are dedicated to supporting marine conservation programmes and initiatives, so we are thrilled Harry approached us to support his Round Britain eRIB Challenge. Harry is shining a light on zero-emission technologies and possibilities; he stands to be a great role model, with his courage and life choices, to all designers and ocean advocates in the marine industry. We wish him all the very best with his Round Britain eRIB Challenge!”
KEMPOWER are a DC ultra-rapid charging manufacture, we are committed to reshaping the Car, Truck, Marine & Port industries. Our versatile distributed charging system not only supports the industry’s shift to zero emissions but also empowers operators to meet rising demands efficiently. Kempower are providing two moveable chargers to support the project ‘fast’ charging at 44 locations around Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Round Britain eRIB challenge to showcase the future of electric boating. The Kempower Movable Charger is designed to meet charging needs in remote locations or events where charging is needed temporarily. Together with eRIB we can show that sustainable and zero-emission boating is not just a possibility, but an achievable reality,” said Erik Kanerva, Sales Director for North Europe at Kempower.
Further information
You can find more information and make a donation to the Challenge on the Round Britain Electric-Rib Challenge website.
