Electric drives are becoming increasingly prevalent in the boat and ship sector. At Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America, Bosch Engineering North America, a division of Robert Bosch LLC, has unveiled a newly developed, high-performance electrification solution for electrical systems with voltages of up to 800V, which further extends the potential use cases of electric drives in maritime applications while also raising system efficiency.
“With the latest generation of our electric motor and inverter with silicon carbide power modules, we offer a complete system that allows not only recreational boats but also larger sailing yachts and working boats to be operated with a more efficient, quiet, yet still very powerful electric drive,” said Philipp Kurek, who is responsible for off-highway and maritime solutions at Bosch Engineering.
The new electric motor SMG 230 is designed for system voltages of 400V to 800V. In an ideal voltage and temperature range, it offers a continuous power output of up to 200kW and around 250Nm of torque. Thanks to the 800V technology, the power density has also been increased significantly. The SMG 230 delivers 80kW more power than a comparable 400V machine with identical weight or, with the same level of performance, boasts more compact dimensions and a much lower weight.
The inverter with silicon carbide semiconductors, which is also designed for electrical voltages of up to 800V, is characterized by its impressive efficiency of more than 99%. The silicon carbide semiconductors in the power modules enable faster switching operations, meaning that significantly less energy is lost in the form of heat.
In addition, Bosch Engineering says the electrification solution offers great flexibility in combination with tailored transmission solutions from Bosch Rexroth, such as the new eGFV9120 coaxial gearbox.
Bosch’s complete kit for the electrification of boat drives comprises electronic control units, inverters, electric motors and transmissions for both 400V and 800V applications. This gives shipyards and system integrators improved flexibility when adapting the electrification strategy to the respective requirements and enables them to integrate the relevant components quickly and easily into their ships. The system components are based on modern automotive technology and combine high robustness with increased reliability.
It’s not too late to attend the show! Register for your FREE entry pass to Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America here. The event is being held at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, August 20 & 21, 2025
