Marine

Marine Battery Systems | EVolve Battery Systems

EVolve Battery Systems manufactures lithium-ion battery systems for marine applications including electric propulsion, hybrid marine power, onboard energy storage, autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Marine systems typically require higher capacities than airborne equivalents: practical marine propulsion systems start at 25 kWh and scale to 300+ kWh in multi-pack configurations. Voltage configurations span 48V to 460V. NMC chemistry provides higher energy density per kilogram compared to LFP, which matters on vessels where payload and weight distribution are constrained. EVolve aluminum enclosures provide structural protection in the marine environment. All systems are manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

What marine applications does EVolve support?

Electric Propulsion

Primary propulsion battery for electric boats, electric ferries, and electric workboats. High-capacity configurations (50–300+ kWh) with high continuous discharge for sustained propulsion loads.

Hybrid Marine Power

Energy storage component for hybrid diesel-electric or hybrid gas-electric marine drive systems. Defined CAN interface enables integration with hybrid power management systems.

Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASV)

Power systems for autonomous surface vessels and uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). Long-duration low-power discharge with burst availability for sensors and communications.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV)

UUV battery packs designed for the pressure, temperature, and sealing requirements of submerged operation. Aluminum enclosures with custom sealing strategies; see also Defense UUV applications.

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Onboard Energy Storage

Hotel load power (lighting, electronics, HVAC) for vessels using shore power or renewable generation charging. Multi-pack parallel strings scale capacity for extended autonomy.

Marine Test Stands

High-current DC power for marine propulsion test facilities, dynamometer loading systems, and propulsion development labs.

What IP ratings and corrosion protection are available?

Standard MonoLith enclosures are machined 6061-T6 aluminum with mechanical sealing provisions. Standard configurations do not carry an IEC IP67 rating as a catalog specification; IP rating is a program-specific design exercise that depends on enclosure geometry, connector selection, and vent/pressure relief requirements.

For marine programs requiring specific IP ratings, EVolve can design enclosures to target IP67 (dust-tight and 30-minute immersion to 1m) or IP65 (dust-tight and water jet protection) using:

  • Fully captive O-ring seals on all enclosure joints and lid interfaces
  • IP-rated connector boots and sealed cable glands (Deutsch, Amphenol AHD, or equivalent)
  • Pressure/vacuum relief valves where enclosed gas accumulation is a risk
  • Anodized or powder-coated aluminum for corrosion protection in salt spray environments
IP rating requirements should be specified in the RFQ. EVolve will confirm achievable ratings and any design constraints during the fit-check phase.

What capacity configurations make sense for marine?

Marine propulsion loads are sustained and high, unlike aerospace where short burst discharge dominates. This drives marine battery requirements toward higher total energy capacity and moderate continuous discharge rates. Typical configurations:

ApplicationVoltageCapacityNotes
Small electric boat48V – 96V10 – 30 kWhDay use; 2–4 hr range at moderate speed
ASV / USV48V – 200V25 – 80 kWhExtended autonomy; low avg. power draw
Hybrid ferry / workboat200V – 460V100 – 300+ kWhMulti-pack parallel strings; dock charging
UUV48V – 200V5 – 50 kWhSealed enclosure; depth-rated design

Multi-pack parallel strings are the standard approach for large marine energy storage. EVolve can design multi-pack systems with shared BMS architecture or independent BMS per pack with coordinated SOC management. Contact engineering during RFQ to discuss the preferred architecture for your application.

What BMS features matter for marine applications?

Marine operating environments place specific demands on the BMS. The custom BMS (standard in MonoLith) provides:

  • Cell balancing for long-duration discharge: passive balancing at all SOC levels; critical for marine applications where discharge cycles are long and cell-to-cell divergence accumulates
  • Thermal monitoring in enclosed compartments: per-cell temperature monitoring with programmable thermal cutoff; important in enclosed bilge or machinery space installations where ventilation is limited
  • Ground fault and isolation monitoring: detects insulation failures between HV bus and vessel hull ground; critical safety feature for marine applications where water ingress can create conductive paths
  • CAN bus integration with marine electronics: SOC, voltage, current, temperature broadcast on CAN; compatible with NMEA 2000 gateway adapters for bridge display integration
  • Shore power charge control: BMS-managed CC/CV charging compatible with shore power converters; programmable charge current limits

What safety standards apply to marine batteries?

Marine battery safety is governed by a patchwork of standards depending on vessel type and jurisdiction. Relevant standards and EVolve's current posture:

StandardScopeEVolve Posture
ABYC E-13Lithium battery systems for recreational boats (U.S.)Design awareness; can support compliance review for recreational marine programs
IEC 62619Safety requirements for stationary/industrial Li-ion batteriesDesign aligned with IEC 62619 safety architecture; qualification per-program
DNV Type ApprovalClassification society approval for commercial marine vesselsQualification pathway available; discuss requirements during RFQ
UN38.3Transport safety classification (shipping)All systems shipped with UN38.3 documentation

Programs requiring classification society approval (DNV, ABS, Bureau Veritas) should discuss this requirement during the RFQ phase. EVolve can support the documentation and testing process required for type approval.

How do I start a marine battery project with EVolve?

01
Define Requirements

Submit vessel type, propulsion power requirements, hotel load, target range/endurance, voltage preference, physical envelope, and any sealing/IP requirements.

02
Fit-Check

EVolve reviews for in-catalog fit or custom configuration requirements within 2–5 business days. STEP CAD and ICD provided on contract.

03
Delivery & Integration

8–16 weeks for first-article prototype. Complete documentation package enables vessel integration from a known baseline.