Volvo Penta launches electric IPS range
Volvo Penta has launched a fully electric marine propulsion range that it calls ’a new chapter in electric marine propulsion’.
Built on its well-known IPS (Inboard Performance System) platform, an integrated version of which was launched last year, the engine is ‘another milestone in the company’s path to deliver zero-emission vehicles and vessels on land and at sea’, says Volvo Penta.
The new electric range includes five drivelines, directly coupled with the electric motor, and come in twin, triple or quadruple configurations, which Volvo Penta says opens the door for a wider range of vessels to use the IPS system. This would include Electronic Vessel Control, forward-facing propulsion, pulling rather than pushing the vessel through the water.
“We have built up strong expertise based on 20 years of efficient operation with more than 40,000 Volvo Penta IPS drivelines in operation, as well as recent successful market pilots in marine electrification,” says Anna Müller, President of Volvo Penta. “Our aim with this new range is to deliver a plug-and-play electric propulsion solution, keeping the uniqueness of our core competence, but also designed to scale together with 3rd party integrators.”
Volvo Penta says it aims to deliver scalable, standardised solutions that can be integrated with qualified third parties.
“The company will work with qualified partners to deliver a fully integrated electric solution combining the power of Volvo Penta IPS electric propulsion packages with the Energy Storage System, potential marine gensets, DC grid infrastructure and the Energy Management System,” it says.
From Q4 2025, Volvo Penta will roll out the IPS900E (up to 515 kW), followed by models like the IPS650E (up to 374 kW) with the aim of electrifying all five drivelines in the Volvo Penta IPS range, targeting power outputs from 220 kW to 1.1 MW per driveline – scaling up to 4.5 MW for quad installations.
