Electric Outboard Range Explained: Watt-Hours, Real-World Runtime and Battery Care

The first question almost everyone asks about an electric outboard is the same: how long does the battery last? The honest answer is "it depends" – but unlike a petrol engine with a fuel gauge that swings on a whim, an electric outboard's range is remarkably predictable once you understand two things: watt-hours, and the effect of speed.

Watt-hours are your fuel tank

Every battery has a capacity measured in watt-hours (Wh). Think of it as the size of your fuel tank: a 1080 Wh battery can supply 1,080 watts of power for one hour, 540 watts for two hours, and so on. Torqeedo Travel batteries come in 648 Wh, 1080 Wh and 1425 Wh sizes, so a bigger battery means more time on the water – simple as that.

Slowing down changes everything

Here's the part that surprises people. The power needed to push a boat through water rises steeply with speed – roughly with the cube of it. Run a 1,100 W Travel flat out and a 1080 Wh battery gives you about an hour of hard motoring. Ease back to half speed, though, and the motor sips just a fraction of that power – and the same battery lasts several hours and carries you a much greater distance. For most real-world use – pottering out to a mooring, cruising a river, fishing – you'll use far less charge than you expect.

You don't have to take this on trust, either. Every Torqeedo Travel has an onboard computer with GPS that shows your remaining range at your current speed, live on the display. Slow down and you can literally watch your range climb.

Which capacity should you choose?

• 648 Wh – short hops: tender runs, getting out to the mooring and back.
• 1080 Wh – the sweet spot for most owners: a relaxed afternoon on the water.
• 1425 Wh – long days out, heavier boats, or anywhere you'd rather have headroom.

And because the battery simply clips off the motor, a second battery is the easiest range extender there is – swap it over in seconds and you're back to full.

Charging and looking after your battery

The standard charger included with every motor refills the battery from a normal plug socket – overnight charging is the usual routine, and faster chargers are available if you want a quicker turnaround. A few habits will keep a lithium battery healthy for many years: don't leave it sitting fully flat, store it somewhere cool and dry over winter at around half charge, and give it a top-up every few months in storage.

Still weighing up which battery suits your boating? Call us on 01475 817980 or email sales@torqeedoshop.com – we're happy to talk through how you use your boat and recommend the right capacity.