Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

The Solar Impact Yacht Can Sail the World in Zero-emission Luxury

By

Boats (in general) and cruise ships (in particular) are among the least environmentally-friendly modes of travel that currently exist. While clever innovations have been made in the way of electric boats and renewable-energy-assisted ships, we have a long way to go before the industry can be considered “green.” But, a newly unveiled solar-powered ship has the potential to chart a much brighter course for the future.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Swiss marine innovators Solar Impact debuted the aptly named Solar Impact Yacht at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival. Under ideal, sunny conditions, the 78-foot all-electric boat has the potential to traverse the globe without stopping. This is accomplished through a 3,200-square-foot solar array that blankets the hull, generating up to 320kWh on a sunny day. These power an 800kWh battery with the capacity to run the ship for up to 10 hours in a single day. While this would mean dialing the cruising speed down to a leisurely 5 knots (that’s 5.7 miles per hour for you non-sailors), the ship is capable of a maximum speed of 22 knots.

Recommended Videos

The 70-ton hull uses lightweight, state-of-the-art aluminum construction to reduce weight. The exterior design also helps limit heeling and rolling in the water by up to 90%. Even in strong waves and currents, the ship’s stability ensures a relatively smooth, comfortable ride.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

But, the Solar Impact isn’t meant to be merely a statement piece on the owner’s environmental awareness. Because it can run for extended periods — possibly indefinitely — the designers put a good deal of thought into the ship’s creature comforts. While the final details have yet to be confirmed, the latest virtual reality tour reveals a sleek, ultra-luxe, minimalist cabin design that feels plucked from Blade Runner 2049. The central onboard computer system is also powered by sophisticated AI software to control everything from lighting to electrical to propulsion.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The idea of a solar-powered yacht is nothing new. In 2016, the Solar Wave debuted to surprising demand. Plus, hybrid yacht designs are now greener and more affordable than ever, which is further proof of the viability of commercial solar-powered yacht models.

Related

There is no pricing or official release date for the Solar Impact Yacht as it’s still in the early concept phase. But, frankly, if you have to ask …

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
The 2024 Range Rover Sport p400 SE: ‘Entry level’ yet feature packed
An 'entry-level' Range Rover is still pretty superb
Range Rover P400SE Sfront 3/4 View

The term “luxury SUV” is surprisingly broad. It can include everything from relatively affordable brands like Genesis all the way through to efforts from the likes of Rolls-Royce. Land Rover Range Rover, with its decades of history, long list of well-regarded clientele, and ultra-high-end touches, is definitely in the latter category. But even the most prestigious brands have “entry-level” models. In the Range Rover Sport’s case, that’s the P400 SE.

Despite it lacking the hefty V8 its big brothers tend to have, the 3.0-liter straight-six with its mild hybrid accompaniment still produces plenty of power. That power also comes along exactly when you want it, at almost any speed. I recently had an opportunity to see what the 2024 Range Rover P400 SE is like as a daily driver. Here’s why I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.

Read more
F1 engineer reveals how he found a job and fulfillment with the Red Bull pit crew
Nicholas provides plenty of evidence that work in an F1 pit garage is a high-pressure job
Life in the Pitlane by Calum Nicholas bookcover shot against road with yellow centerlines.

Anyone who aspires to work for a Formula 1 racing team would do well to read Calum Nicholas's new book, Life in the Pitlane. Nicholas, a senior engineer who has been part of the F1 Red Bull Racing team since 2015. He is also a member of the pit crew that held the 1.82-second world record for the fastest Formula One pitstop from 2019 until 2023.
How Nicholas found a job with the Red Bull F1 pit crew

Nicholas details his journey as a young man growing up in England. He had an interest in cars, but lacked direction until he attended the Formula 1 2009 British Grand Prix at Silverstone with his mother. Prior to the race, they walked the pit lane, an experience Nicholas now describes as a "light-bulb moment."

Read more
Ford recalls nearly 25,000 new Explorers due to faulty PCMs
2025 Ford Explorer recall
2025 Ford Explorer Platinum and 2025 Ford Explorer ST barked on stones by lakeside with moutains in the background.

Ford is recalling another 24,655 vehicles this week. This time, the units in question are of the 2025 Explorer due to a serious issue that could cause the SUV to lose power or fail to shift into park. This problem is all about the powertrain control module (PCM) software, which can randomly reset and lead to some frustrating and potentially dangerous issues for drivers.

A faulty park system can cause a car to roll away if it’s parked without the parking brake on. Beyond that, if the engine stalls while you’re driving, you can suddenly lose power. Both of these issues can increase the chances of an accident.

Read more