Kingston, Ontario – September 22, 2022 – Kingston’s Mayor as well as representatives of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation and Canadian manufacturer of marine EV systems Voltari Electric, were on hand to welcome the installation of a Voltari “e-Pump” in the Confederation Basin Marina.
This moment marks an important step towards the electrification of pleasure boating, which is a major source of greenhouse gases, as well as air, noise and water pollution.
The e-Pump supercharger, which uses a CCS J1772 plug familiar to drivers of electric cars, delivers a 160Kw charge, making it the fastest marine EV charger in North America at this time. Also on hand as the e-Pump’s first customer was Voltari Electric’s First Edition, North America’s first electric performance boat to reach the world market. The e-Pump can take the First Edition’s burly full-day’s-use battery pack from empty to full in one hour, at a cost under $20.
Voltari plans to issue an integrated app which will allow boaters to check availability and reserve a slot at the charger ahead of time. “No more lining up for the fuel pumps at the marina,” says Voltari CEO Cam Heaps. “No more fuel spills and oil leaks fouling the waterways. No more smoke and loud engines – just the sound of the water on the hull. You can have a normal conversation with the person next to you while running this boat. This technology takes away so many bad things and just leaves all the best parts of being a recreational boater.”
In addition to the e-Pump, Voltari will also be offering residential and portable charging systems compatible with most marinas, in 48 and 80-amp systems, as well as the matching adaptors. Early standardization in charging interfaces will let them support other electric craft as well as Voltari’s line of performance boats.
Kingston was “a natural choice” for the first Voltari e-Pump, says Voltari President Tim Markou. “It’s close to our production facility in Merrickville. We plan to be one of the pump’s regular customers – Kingston’s historic downtown waterfront is a beautiful place to bring customers for test drives.”
Kingston’s Mayor Bryan Paterson agrees, given Kingston’s status as the first city in Ontario to declare a climate emergency, and its proactive stance on reducing environmental impact. “As a City, we’re committed to demonstrating leadership on climate action. That’s why we’re excited to install Canada’s very first EV-boat charging station and to welcome the launch of the country’s first commercially available electric boat,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “We’re a boating community and I look forward to making sure Kingston leads the way promoting environmentally friendly boating practices!”
Shelley Hirstwood, Director of Business Development at Kingston Economic Development Corporation, sees the installation and the cooperative relationship it represents as one more asset in Kingston’s leadership position in EV and sustainable technologies. “Kingston is actively engaged in the battery and EV sector supporting investment attraction and business growth activities. Voltari is a great example of a cutting-edge company that values sustainability and a green future,” says Shelley Hirstwood.
Looking out over the water and the boats bobbing in the marina, Voltari CEO Cam Heaps pats the shining surface of the charger and smiles. “We’ve imagined electric technologies transforming boating and waterways worldwide. It was an idea before, but now it’s reality.”
Media Contacts:
Nour Mazloum
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
mazloum@investkingston.ca
Cam Heaps
Chief Executive Officer
Voltari Electric
416-949-1231
cam@voltarielectric.com
