Volvo Penta Expands Electric Saildrive Line-up for 2027 Model Year
Volvo Penta confirms three new power classes for its electric saildrive, covering boats from 8 to 22 tonnes displacement — the widest range from a single manufacturer to date.
Volvo Penta has confirmed that its SD Electric saildrive platform will expand to three continuous-power tiers — 10 kW, 20 kW, and 30 kW — for the 2027 model year. Each unit shares the same mechanical envelope and mounting flange, allowing boatyards to specify the same installation template across the full range.
The 20 kW and 30 kW variants introduce a new 80 V DC bus option alongside the existing 48 V architecture. An 80 V bus cuts peak current by 40% versus a 48 V system at the same power, which means thinner main cables and smaller fuse protection — a meaningful saving in a refit where routing new wiring through the boat is often the most expensive part of the job.
Integration with Volvo Penta's Glass Cockpit system lets the helm display real-time kWh remaining, estimated range at current throttle, and a charge-time prediction based on the connected shore-power amperage. The display also flags under-voltage and over-temperature warnings before a protection event occurs.
Expected retail pricing in Europe will put the 20 kW unit at approximately €14,000 including motor, motor controller, and instrument harness, but excluding battery pack.