When National Boat Shows heard about the project, they invited the team to bring Firefly to ExCeL as a feature, highlighting the latest developments in green boating.
Also on the stand are examples of current electric boats in use on our inland waterways. These include a wheelchair-accessible electric angling boat, for use on reservoirs and environmentally-sensitive waters, and an electric powered RIB, designed as a junior racing class on lakes with noise and emission restrictions.

Firefly uses the latest high-output batteries from Exide Technologies, and high-performance Agni/Lynch motors, with the whole propulsion package being put together by BMF member the Thames Electric Launch Company. The team stress that all the components and equipment used in the record boat are off-the-shelf items that are already in use in the latest electric craft. They added that electric boating is poised to take-off, with the technical background already in place.

The record attempt in Firefly will be made by Helen Loney. “It’s very smooth to drive, and with the 6 electric motors developing 200hp very quick to pick up speed,” said Helen. “This has been our first big Boat Show and the response we’ve had has been amazing. Everyone stops to look at it and work out what it is because it’s so unusual. We’ve found it’s very popular with families and the youngsters love to sit in it.”