More power, more range and smarter features see the Spirit range step beyond harbour duty and into genuinely practical, everyday boating.
Electric outboard motor technology has matured quickly, and few brands have been as visible in that space as ePropulsion. Their Spirit range has earned a loyal following among boaties looking for a clean, quiet alternative to small petrol outboards, particularly for tenders, dinghies and compact sailboats.
The new Spirit 2, due for release this New Zealand autumn, marks the most significant step forward yet. Rather than reinventing the concept, it focuses on addressing the real-world limitations owners experienced with earlier models.
The original Spirit 1.0 Plus established the platform as a capable entry-level option. With 1 kW of output, it suited low-speed harbour work and short runs, where efficiency mattered more than outright thrust. The Spirit 1.0 Evo expanded the appeal for sailors, adding hydrogeneration that allowed the propeller to recharge the battery while sailing, producing up to 300 watts at around 5.4 knots.
Spirit 2 builds directly on that foundation. At its core is a 2 kW motor, effectively doubling continuous output and placing it closer to a five-horsepower petrol equivalent. A short-duration Boost mode lifts output to 3 kW, providing added control when pushing into a head tide or manoeuvring in tight quarters.
Top speed is quoted at around 9.5 knots, depending on hull and conditions. Run time sits at roughly 54 minutes at full power, extending to about 1 hour 48 minutes at half power and up to three hours at quarter power.
A larger 1539 Wh battery, the biggest in its class, improves usable range while remaining manageable to handle. Hydrogeneration has also been refined, generating up to 380 watts at 10 knots between 3 and 16 knots of sailing speed.
Designed for displacement hulls, Spirit 2 suits dinghies, tenders, small fishing boats and sailboats up to around eight metres. Practical refinements such as a foldable tiller, shallow-water trim, full-colour display, USB-C charging and a total system weight of around 21 kilograms reinforce its everyday focus.
For day sailing, fishing or tender duty, Spirit 2 feels less like a niche alternative and more like a genuinely capable electric outboard. Global availability begins in New Zealand autumn 2026 through authorised dealers.
More: https://www.epropulsion.com/products/electric-outboards/spirit-2