Comparing Diesel and Electric Efficiency
SteelX Yachts: A Journey to Unmatched Efficiency
At SteelX Yachts, we’ve transformed yacht propulsion step by step, turning classic inefficiencies into modern marvels. Our serial hybrid driveline—electric motors and diesel engines on shared shafts with electromagnetic clutches—powers dual shafts (2x electric + 2x diesel), blending versatility with efficiency. This page traces that evolution, from traditional diesel trawlers to our innovative SteelX designs, showing how each stage slashes fuel use while keeping performance practical. Let’s explore the progression.
1. Classic Diesel Trawler: The High-Fuel Baseline
Traditional diesel trawlers set the old standard, relying solely on diesel engines. For a 45-ton, 18m vessel, cruising at 10 knots burns 36.6 liters per hour (l/h). It’s a workhorse—reliable but thirsty—churning through fuel and leaving a hefty environmental wake. This is what SteelX set out to overhaul.
2. SteelX Hull on Diesel Propulsion: 53% Fuel Savings
Our first leap was the hull. Redesigned with innovations like the SteelX EcoPierce, Hull Vane, and Sharrow Prop, it cuts drag and power needs. Paired with diesel engines on our dual shafts, this SteelX hull drops fuel use to 17.2 l/h at 10 knots—a 53% savings over the classic trawler’s 36.6 l/h. Same diesel power, smarter design.
3. SteelX Hull on Electric Mode (Generators, Solar, Batteries): 73% Fuel Savings, 1-7 Knots
Next, we shifted to electric motors on those shafts, backed by generators, solar panels, and batteries. On this optimized hull, cruising at 1-7 knots uses just 4.8 l/h—a remarkable 73% savings from the trawler’s 17.9 l/h at 7 knots (adjusted for speed range). It’s quiet, efficient, and leans on renewable power to shrink diesel use.
4. SteelX Hull on Diesel-Boosted Electric Mode: 49% Fuel Savings, 9-15 Knots
For speed, our serial hybrid kicks in: diesel engines boost the electric motors via electromagnetic clutches on each shaft. At 9-15 knots, it delivers—9-13 knots continuously at 18.7 l/h (53% savings vs. 36.6 l/h), and 14-15 knots for an hour at 18.7 l/h (49% savings vs. an estimated 36.6+ l/h for a trawler). It’s power with efficiency for longer hauls.
5. SteelX Hull on Pure Electric (No Generators): 100% Fuel Savings, Up to 4 Knots
Disconnect the generators, and the SteelX hull runs on batteries and solar via the electric motors alone. At up to 7 knots—this mode uses zero fuel—100% savings. Perfect for short, silent runs (e.g., 1 hours at 4 knots), it’s the eco-ideal, limited by battery capacity. (Larger battery bank optional)
6. SteelX Hull with Kite Propulsion: 100% Fuel Savings, 1-8 Knots
Add the kite—a wind-powered assist on our hull. At 1-8 knots, depending on wind, it pulls the yacht with no fuel—100% savings. The low-drag SteelX hull makes this free ride from nature even smoother, ideal for eco-minded explorers.
7. SteelX Hull with Full Quad System: 74% Fuel Savings at 7 Knots
Our pinnacle combines it all: the SteelX hull with our serial hybrid quad—electric motors, diesel generators, solar, batteries, and kite—across dual shafts. At 7 knots, with electric and diesel boost leading the charge, it uses 4.6 l/h—a 74% savings over the trawler’s 17.9 l/h. Kite, solar, and batteries pitch in, but the hull and hybrid driveline drive this efficiency, balancing speed and sustainability.
Why SteelX Stands Out
- Hull-First Revolution: The 73% savings at 1-7 knots stems from our hull alone—not kite or hybrid boosts—redefining efficiency.
- Serial Hybrid Edge: Dual shafts with electric and diesel on one driveline, switched by clutches, layer power seamlessly.
- Stepwise Gains: From 53% diesel savings to 100% electric or kite modes, each build improves on the last.
- Green Meets Practical: Low-speed eco-cruising or high-speed capability—greener than ever.
- Real Results: Proven by simulations and data, SteelX delivers.
Explore these designs at steelxyachts.com—efficiency is our legacy, built one innovation at a time.