Molabo and Team Malizia Launch 48 V Hybrid Propulsion System

by Tess Smallridge 9 May 20:15 NZST

Lightweight, fuel-efficient, and safe-to-maintain: A pioneering step toward zero-emission offshore performance

Team Malizia, led by world-renowned skipper and climate advocate Boris Herrmann, has unveiled a pioneering hybrid-electric propulsion and energy system aboard its IMOCA 60 race yacht, Malizia - Seaexplorer. Set to compete in the upcoming The Ocean Race Europe, the yacht is one of the first in the IMOCA class to integrate an electric drive system—pushing the boundaries of sustainable offshore racing by minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.

The custom setup centers on the Molabo ARIES i50 electric inboard motor, powered by the company's patented ISCAD (Intelligent Stator Cage Drive) technology. Operating at just 48 volts, the system is inherently safe-to-touch, eliminating the hazards and complexity of high-voltage marine systems. It is paired with Malizia - Seaexplorer's Solbian solar panels and Watt and Sea hydrogenerators, a new high-capacity battery bank from Solid State Marine and a new Fischer Panda generator certified to run on hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO).

"We asked ourselves: How can we race around the world on a high-tech yacht without the use of fossil fuels and at the same time improve performance?" says Boris Herrmann. "This system is our answer. It's lighter, cleaner, and lets us maximize our renewable sources of energy. This is one of the most exciting upgrades to the boat and we are proud to lead that step towards more sustainable offshore racing."

The hybrid system offers a host of advantages over traditional diesel propulsion:

• Lighter total system weight than a standard diesel engine, improving racing performance
• Increased energy storage, enabling extended silent operation using solar and hydro power
• Highly fuel-efficient generator charging, cutting consumption in half compared to conventional setups

"Our goal is to meet the IMOCA rule requirements while building the lightest, cleanest, and most efficient yacht possible," said Team Malizia's Jesse Newmark-Rowse. "Molabo's 48 V electric motor enables us to leave the dock, maneuver under power, recover a person overboard, and motor at five knots for five hours, all without relying on fossil fuels for most scenarios."

More than just a technical upgrade, the hybrid system reflects Team Malizia's mission: "A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now!". The team sees offshore racing as a high-profile platform for climate solutions by pushing boundaries not only in performance but in environmental responsibility.

"This project shows what's possible," said Adrian Patzak, COO of Molabo GmbH. "If Team Malizia can run an IMOCA with 48 volts and solar power, then many other vessels can do it. After all, the same Molabo drive installed in Malizia - Seaexplorer is also powering an 84-passenger solar ferry that runs all day, every day. Together, we're proving that the technology is here to reduce emissions whether you're competing, commuting, or simply enjoying time at sea."