Developed in an Auckland workshop, Vessev's VS-Drive is making waves in the electric marine world. Rather than a motor simply dropped into a hull, it is a purpose-engineered propulsion system built specifically for electric hydrofoiling vessels, conceived to deliver silent, efficient, cool-running performance in any conditions the sea can offer.
The VS-Drive was created for the VS-9, Vessev's award-winning hydrofoiling catamaran. A direct-drive brushless motor sits within a streamlined pod below the hull, eliminating the gearbox, doing away with any noisy drivetrain, and reducing vibration to almost nothing. At low speeds the boat is completely silent. Even at 25 knots, a conversation on deck remains perfectly comfortable.
“The VS-Drive began as a clean-sheet design to overcome one of the trickiest challenges in electric marine propulsion—overheating,”
says Max Olson, Vessev's co-founder and Chief Technology Officer.
"The result is sustained high-torque output and unparalleled performance in tropical climates."
Central to the VS-Drive's performance is a closed-loop liquid-cooling system. Where many competing electric drives begin to falter as temperatures climb, Vessev's system holds operating temperatures below 50 °C, roughly half the drive's safe thermal tolerance. That margin matters for ferry operators and private owners in warmer parts of the world, where conventional electric motors have historically struggled to maintain consistent output.
The podded unit delivers 65 kW, around 90 hp, on a continuous basis, with peak output reaching 110 kW, or 150 hp. Direct coupling between the propeller and motor keeps energy losses to a minimum, allowing the VS-9 to cruise at 25 knots with zero emissions and a minimal wake.
Longevity was built into the design from the outset. Bearings are rated for 40,000 nautical miles, onboard sensors provide continuous system health monitoring, and each module can be disassembled for servicing without extended downtime. For operators running the VS-9 on commercial schedules, that kind of reliability is non-negotiable.
The propulsion pod also incorporates vectorable steering, which sharpens low-speed handling and makes docking more precise. For harbour ferry routes and tender operations in particular, that level of manoeuvrability has real practical value. Paired with Vessev's fully retractable carbon-fibre foils, the drive system makes the VS-9 equally at home in shallow coastal waters and busy marina environments.
Vessev is already looking beyond the VS-9. Production units are being readied for the company's upcoming 12 m and 18 m vessels, with a recreational hydrofoil also set to launch in the near future. Fullers360, New Zealand's largest ferry operator, has a VS-9 in daily service, and confirmed orders now span three continents.
“We’re excited to see operators around the world benefit from this propulsion technology across a range of applications,”
says Eric Laakmann, Vessev's CEO.
Development of the system received partial funding through EECA's Low Emission Transport Fund, reflecting a broader government commitment to reducing emissions in the maritime sector.
From the water, the VS-9 cuts a striking profile. Beneath the surface, it carries what may be the most sophisticated marine propulsion motor of its type. The VS-Drive makes a strong case that New Zealand engineering can set the pace in the global move toward clean, quiet, and capable marine transport.
Technical snapshot
Power: 65 kW continuous / 110 kW peak
Torque: 400 Nm
Cooling: closed-loop liquid system (< 50 °C operating)
Bearings life: 40,000 NM / 48 months
Output: gearless, silent, zero emissions
Vessel reference
VS-9
Length 8.95 m / Beam 3.1 m / Draft 0.5–1.5 m
Capacity 10 + 1 crew
Cruise 25 knots / Range 40–50 NM
Carbon-fibre hull and retractable foils
