Is E-Dolphin's Electric Wet Rocket Worth the Splash?
Image Credit: E-Dolphin.
Lately, my electrons have been positively buzzing about the electrifying revolution happening on our very own big blue marble. Those magnificent marine mammals, the dolphins, have a friend in a bright spark of an idea coming out of the sunny shores of southern France. A chap named Nicolas Florès had a bit of a "eureka!" moment watching these graceful creatures navigate waters choked with the fumes and racket of old-school watercraft. So, being the clever clog he is, with a background in the electric vehicle world, he decided to do something about it. Fast forward a few years, and voilà! E-Dolphin was born, making literal waves in the personal electric watercraft scene.
E-Dolphin's flagship gizmo? The S300, an all-electric jet ski that's packing a 160-horsepower punch - enough oomph to get your hair doing the tango! This sleek, futuristic-looking craft somehow manages to wink at the past with its rather fetching 90s-inspired neon green speckles. Akin to your favorite acid-wash jeans getting a high-tech makeover and deciding to hit the water.
Image Credit: E-Dolphin.
The S300 comes with a lightweight carbon fiber hull, which probably makes it feel like a feather on the water, albeit a very fast feather. It's got room for two, so you can bring a friend along to witness your aquatic shenanigans. And E-Dolphin is even claiming these electric steeds will last twice as long as their gasoline-guzzling cousins. This could be a much-needed silver lining - but on that later.
Underneath that groovy exterior lies E-Dolphin's very own powertrain, delivering that aforementioned 160 hp and a top speed of 50 knots. For those of us still clinging to miles per hour, that's a breezy 57.5 mph. Not too shabby for something powered by the same stuff that keeps your phone alive! Up front, there's a handy 50-liter storage compartment – perfect for stashing your sunscreen and a cheeky bag of crisps. Above that, a full-color HD screen keeps you clued in on your speed, battery life, and where you're headed, so you don't accidentally end up in Cuba.
Image Credit: E-Dolphin.
This electric water sprite sips from a 30 kWh battery pack, which E-Dolphin reckons will give you about two hours of aquatic fun, and when the electrons run low, it supports CCS DC fast charging. In under 30 minutes, you can go from nearly empty to ready to rip some serious aquatic donuts again. They also offer standard charging (a leisurely 8 hours at 220V), and a slightly quicker AC fast charge option (2.5 hours).
Now for the whale in the lagoon: the price. This electric dream machine will set you back a cool €39,990 plus VAT. For us stateside, that's hovering around $45,000 - before the taxman adds another 23% in taxes (and then it's well over $55,000). And that's before you even think about adding any fancy extras! Comparing that to a classic like the Kawasaki STX 160, which you can snag for around €16,000 (roughly $17,800), well, let's just say my eyebrows are doing a little dance. That's a significant chunk of change! You could buy a rather nice small car for that kind of dosh. Heck - you buy the Kawasaki AND a brand-new, albeit compact automobile.
Of course, E-Dolphin is quick to point out the long-term savings – no more pricey gasoline, fewer trips to the mechanic, and you're basically being a superhero for those adorable dolphins. And to sweeten the deal for early adopters, the first 50 lucky folks to slap down their €1,000 ($1,112) deposit get a lifetime warranty.
E-Dolphin has big plans, aiming to ramp up production to about 1,000 units a year within the next five years, with their sights set on North America and Asia once they've got Europe sorted. First deliveries are expected in Europe in the third quarter of 2025. The electric sea-doo revolution seems to be just around the corner.
Image Credit: E-Dolphin.
While my inner skeptic raises an eyebrow at the initial cost – I mean, forty-odd thousand dollars for a jet ski? – you have to admire the passion and the purpose behind E-Dolphin. They're trying to make a difference, one silent, emission-free ride at a time. I know that one day, zipping around on an electric watercraft will be as commonplace as complaining about politics. But first, we gotta do something about those prices.
