World's First Carbon Fiber Electric Jet Ski

At five miles to the gallon, jet-skis are some of the most inefficient and loudest motors to hit the world's waterways.

But now a new carbon fiber electric jet-ski unveiled by ExoConcept at this week's Cannes Boat Show 2011 means the fun watersport no longer needs to harm the planet, reports Wired.

Having said that, you better enjoy lying flat on your stomach as you hit the waves, because that's how you ride this unusual piece of equipment. Running on a 7-KWh electric motor that powers a water jet turbine drive system, the jet-ski is powered by a four-cell LiFePO4 battery instead of fuel.

The best part? You don't even need a license to ride it. Watch the video below.

Comments

[sunsetter]

10:52 AM on 09/15/2011

It is stories like these that tell me the eco friendly green revolution is all about hype with precious little grounded in reality.

[Rolex Rider]

10:32 AM on 09/15/2011

Excellent.......20 minutes of fun then it's back to the charger for another 8 hours.

[SimonBao]

10:30 AM on 09/15/2011

One, that's not really a jet-ski, not by any definition that I'm likely to come across.

Two, the greenest jet-ski is no jet ski at all.

Three, usually the dumbest people on the water are the weekend tourists who've rented jet-skis, and if they were all being eaten by giant great white sharks, you'd notice all the boaters gazing up at the clouds or just looking the other way.

If anyone is really worried about being green, just get in the water and go body surfing. The greenest fun you can have.

[Skip Manley]

07:42 PM on 09/14/2011

too slow, no air & if you hit a compound wave wrong you eat that windshield.. it needs more HP and a quick swap battery pack (plus reserve to get you to shore) .. you could do much better hooking up a scuba tank to push the "skis" motor

[cagog]

07:29 PM on 09/14/2011

That is soo awesome.

[ekg]

04:01 PM on 09/14/2011

Jet ski's are the bane of the waterways. Show me a jetski and I will show you an operator who has no idea about the "rules of the road," has no courtesy and no class

[oldjags]

03:25 PM on 09/14/2011

That thing is not a jet ski! And I'll bet the battery life is about as long as the video. And can you recharge it while it's in the water without electrocuting either yourself or the rider? I don't like the idea of 220 v. power cords near swimmers or the water.

A Seadoo RXT will do 70 MPH, is as quiet as a car, but I'll admit does burn a whole lot of premium gas. As with anything, there is no substitute raw horsepower. No way you can replace 250 HP with batteries on a vessel that small.

But, hey, maybe Obama is willing to invest some taxpayer dollars into this new 'green' technology.

[JPMac]

02:47 PM on 09/14/2011

That thing sucks!!!

[azmildman]

01:37 PM on 09/14/2011

I have seen videos of people on a Jet Ski attracting the attention of dolphins http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=7pIlEv7Jh­Zo and sharks with the loud and fast engines they have now. You would think that would scare away anything of the "aquatic creature variety" but it doesn't. So, if and when this guy attracts sharks, then he just became shark food. Unlike a Jet Ski where you ride completely on top of the water with your feet above and inside the outer frame of the vehicle, this thing provides no protection from even a jelly fish.

[azmildman]

01:08 PM on 09/14/2011

The new jetski? Are you serious? If that was top speed and you have to lay on the front in the water then, that is definitely not going to appeal to the guy who is used to flying over the wakes and the top of the water sitting up, riding like a motorcycle rider moving faster than the guy in a speed boat flying around the lake. I know people who can swim faster than that thing moves. Just because it was "unveiled by ExoConcept at this week's Cannes Boat Show 2011" doesn't mean that it will be popular in America and just because Wired magazine stated the one positive thing that can be said about the vehicle, I am not going to get excited. The good news to me, is that the electric jetski can be improved. Just like the electric car, this one needs some work back at the drawing board and design concepts office. If they can't improve the design and speed then, they will need to market if for rich people to give their kids, ages 6 - 12. They have already been out innovated by the sea doo: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6GEgijKovA&feature=related and also see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54pHGajW2Ks&feature=related

[Waterphoneman]

12:55 PM on 09/14/2011

Looks good but also looks puny in terms of power.

[Sean Padman McMenamin]

12:52 PM on 09/14/2011

Needs some work, but it's a start.

[Huffy Poster 7]

12:28 PM on 09/14/2011

At first, I thought, “Wow! I want one!“ Then, I watched the video. Nice idea, but very poorly executed. They'll be lucky to sell any and it certainly won't make the slightest dent in the market, or help the environment (if no one buys them). It looks seriously underpowered and unstable. It needs to be able to replace current jet-ski’s, which means it should look and function like current models. Even if it had more power, I certainly wouldn’t want to be on my belly, while trying to jump a wave. Make it upright. Give it power. Give it LOTS of lithium-ion batteries, plus a back-up, and maybe then you’ve got something worth buying.

[Fletch55]

12:25 PM on 09/14/2011

Soooo no info on how long battery lasts? Why have it ridden laying down? Lastly that thing was way to slow it has a lot of work to go to even be considered.

[gneep]

12:16 PM on 09/14/2011

what a waste of good money

[kubisiak5]

01:29 PM on 09/14/2011

I think this is a jumping off point. We may see something worth buying in a few years time. It's good to see some people are working it....trial and error costs $$$