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ZeroJet Electric Outboard: What the 18kW, 38kg Power-to-Weight Claim Shows

ZeroJet's standalone electric outboard is rated 18kW (25hp equivalent) at 48V with a 38kg outboard-unit weight. Those manufacturer figures show a strong ratio on paper, but they do not show a market-leading power-to-weight result or an installed-system weight.
Entry964 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team

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ZeroJet’s standalone electric outboard is rated at 18kW (described as 25hp equivalent) on a 48V architecture, and its outboard unit weighs 38kg. Divided out, that is about 0.47kW per kilogram, or roughly 0.66hp per kilogram. Those are strong figures for a motor of this class on paper. They are still manufacturer figures for the motor alone, and they do not by themselves show that the unit outperforms other outboards on power-to-weight.

What the headline figures say

ZeroJet’s product prospectus is the primary source for the standalone outboard’s specifications. The marine-industry product listing on Metstrade repeats the headline power, voltage and weight. Neither document gives a publication date, so the figures below carry no year beyond “undated.”

Item Stated value Source and qualification
Rated power 18kW (25hp equivalent) ZeroJet prospectus (undated); Metstrade listing repeats it
Voltage 48V ZeroJet prospectus (undated); Metstrade listing repeats it
Outboard unit weight 38kg Motor only; no battery, controls, cabling or installation included
Top speed 20 knots Manufacturer test on a 3.3m aluminium RIB; not a general boat-speed figure
Fast charge 1 hour ZeroJet prospectus; charger, supply and battery conditions not stated
Regular charge 3 hours ZeroJet prospectus; charger, supply and battery conditions not stated
Shaft lengths Short 15–17 inches; long 20–22 inches ZeroJet prospectus
Controls Tiller or remote console ZeroJet prospectus
Warranty Two years ZeroJet outboard prospectus; not the warranty for its jet systems
Operating range Not stated Not given in the ZeroJet prospectus; cannot be inferred from battery size or the 20-knot test

ZeroJet names small planing boats, tenders and auxiliary yacht power as the intended applications.

Why 38kg is not an installed-system weight

The 38kg figure is the weight of the outboard unit itself. A working electric installation also carries the battery pack, battery-management and control hardware, cabling, and whatever mounting or transom fittings the boat needs. None of these is included in the 38kg, and the sources reviewed give no combined installed weight for the standalone outboard.

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#1 Best Overall
Newport NT300 Electric Outboard Motor, Standard Shaft
  • ⚡ 3HP EQUIVALENT / 110 LB THRUST – The Newport NT300 36V electric outboard delivers 1300W of power and up to 110 lb of thrust for strong, quiet propulsion on freshwater or saltwater boats without gas, fumes, or engine noise.
  • 🔋 36V ELECTRIC OUTBOARD SYSTEM – Runs on an external 36V DC battery with a recommended minimum capacity of 30Ah; compatible with lithium or lead-acid deep-cycle batteries so you can build the power setup that fits your boating needs.
  • 🚤 LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE – At just 23.8 lb, the NT300 is easy to carry, mount, remove, and store, giving boaters capable main propulsion without the weight and maintenance demands of a traditional gas outboard.
  • 🤫 QUIET BRUSHLESS DIRECT DRIVE – Efficient brushless direct-drive technology provides smooth, low-noise propulsion with minimal maintenance, ideal for fishing, recreational boating, and waterways where quiet operation matters.
  • 🌊 STANDARD SHAFT FOR VERSATILE BOATING – This standard-shaft NT300 is built as a practical main-propulsion electric outboard for compatible small boats, delivering responsive power and dependable performance in both fresh and salt water.

This matters for any comparison. A petrol outboard’s listed weight is often quoted for the engine alone too, but the electric side of the ledger adds a battery that can outweigh the motor many times over. A fair comparison must put the battery and controls on both sides, using data for the specific competing product, which the sources here do not supply.

Battery choice decides whether you get 18kW

The prospectus ties the power rating to battery choice rather than presenting 18kW as available from any pack:

Rank #2
Newport NV-Series 55lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Trolling Electric Trolling Motor w/ LED Battery Indicator & 30" Shaft (23M1000203)
  • Efficient Power: 55Lb Thrust - This 12V Electric Trolling Motor Provides Excellent Power And Efficiency For Any Boater. The High Quality Build Allows The Motor To Run All Day Long Without Overheating, Or Making Noise To Spook Fish
  • Features: This Motor Features A 30 Inch Shaft, A 5 Led Battery Meter, A 6 Inch Telescoping Tiller Handle, And 3 Blade Propeller. The Mount Angle, Height, And Direction Can All Be Adjusted And Locked Into Place When Needed
  • Speed: This Motor Has 8 Speeds, 5 Forward And 3 Reverse. The Motor Is Designed For Trolling, So The Top Speed Of This Motor Is About 4Mph, But Depends On Your Boat Shape, Weight, Water, Wind, And Other Factors. Our 3 Blade Propeller Gives The Motor Great Low End Torque To Get The Boat Moving
  • Battery: The Nv 55Lb Motor Requires One (1) 12V Lead-Acid Deep Cycle Or Lithium Deep Cycle Battery (Battery Not Included), 50Ah Recommended. The Motor Also Includes A 50Amp Circuit Breaker Which Is Recommended At All Times To Protect From Battery Voltage Surges. Max Amp Draw: 52A
  • 10kWh battery, 360A continuous discharge: supports the stated 18kW.
  • 5kWh battery, 280A continuous discharge: limits output to 15kW.

These ratings do not reduce to a simple voltage-times-current product. At 360A the stated 18kW implies about 50V at the battery, and at 280A the stated 15kW implies about 54V. The prospectus does not explain the gap, so buyers should ask ZeroJet for the pack voltage and discharge conditions behind each figure rather than calculating from the 48V label.

ZeroJet says third-party batteries may be compatible but that system performance can suffer, and it recommends its own LiFePO₄ packs. The sources reviewed do not name any third-party battery that ZeroJet has validated. Until a specific model is confirmed in writing, treat any other pack as untested with this motor.

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Rank #3
Minn Kota Endura C2 Transom-Mount Electric Trolling Motor – 30 Lb. Thrust, 30 In. Shaft, Freshwater
  • Telescoping Tiller: This 6-inch telescoping tiller provides easy, comfortable, and intuitive control of your trolling motor for all-day fishing trips; Push-to-test battery meter integrated with motor head
  • 10-Position Lever Lock Bracket: Easy-release lever lock system lets you quickly adjust and secure your trolling motor angle; Reinforced composite construction resists flexing, warping, and UV damage for long-lasting durability in marine environments
  • Power Prop for Heavy Vegetation: Designed for 3-1/4" motor diameters, this high-performance propeller delivers extra thrust to power through thick cover; Includes prop pin, nut, and washer for complete installation
  • Forward & Reverse Speed Settings: Dial in precise speed control with five forward speeds and three reverse speeds; Versatile settings let you adapt to any fishing condition, from slow trolling presentations to quick repositioning on the water
  • Built to Last: Designed with an indestructible composite shaft at the motor's core to ensure reliable performance season after season

The 20-knot figure: what the test does and does not show

The 20-knot top speed is a manufacturer-reported result on a 3.3m aluminium RIB. The prospectus does not disclose the load, number of occupants, water conditions, battery state of charge or the battery configuration used in that run. It is useful as a sense of what the unit can do on a small, light planing hull. It is not a guarantee for a heavier tender, a deeper-V hull, a sailing yacht’s dinghy, or a boat carrying a full load.

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Fit and controls checklist for small boats and tenders

Before treating the 18kW rating as relevant to a specific boat, confirm the following with ZeroJet or a qualified marine installer:

Rank #4
Newport NV-Series 36lb Thrust Trolling Motor 12V – Saltwater Transom Mount Electric Motor for Kayak, Canoe & Small Boat – LED Battery Indicator, 30" Shaft, Quiet Operation
  • ⚡ 36LB THRUST 12V or 24V TROLLING MOTOR – LIGHTWEIGHT POWER FOR SMALL CRAFT: Efficient 36lb thrust trolling motor delivers smooth, quiet propulsion for kayaks, canoes, inflatables, and small boats. Perfect for lighter setups where battery efficiency and portability matter most
  • 🌊 SALTWATER TROLLING MOTOR – BUILT FOR REAL CONDITIONS: Durable, corrosion-resistant construction makes this a reliable saltwater and freshwater trolling motor built for consistent performance trip after trip
  • 🛶 EFFICIENT 2-BLADE PROPELLER – OPTIMIZED FOR BATTERY LIFE: Designed for lightweight efficiency, the prop maximizes runtime while delivering steady, controlled movement—ideal for smaller vessels
  • 🎯 8-SPEED TRANSOM MOUNT CONTROL – SIMPLE, PRECISE HANDLING: 5 forward + 3 reverse speeds give you easy control for trolling and maneuvering. A dependable transom mount trolling motor built for simplicity
  • 🔋 BATTERY INDICATOR – STAY AWARE ON THE WATER: LED battery meter shows real-time power levels so you can plan your trip and avoid surprises
  1. Measure transom height and confirm that a short (15–17 inch) or long (20–22 inch) shaft matches it.
  2. Confirm the boat’s structural rating for an 18kW motor and the transom’s ability to carry the outboard’s mass plus the battery location.
  3. Decide between tiller and remote console control, and confirm the console option suits the helm position.
  4. Select a battery option (10kWh for the full 18kW rating, or 5kWh for 15kW) and confirm the pack is approved for this motor.
  5. Check the charger and shore supply you will use against the 1-hour fast and 3-hour regular charge times, noting that those conditions are not stated.
  6. Ask for the operating range for your intended speed and load, since the prospectus gives none.

Is the power-to-weight claim proven?

ZeroJet’s prospectus states:

“The ZeroJet Electric Outboard offers unmatched power-to-weight efficiency, delivering an electric-drive dynamic, with better than petrol performance, and without the petrol downsides.” — ZeroJet, company product prospectus

This is promotional wording. The headline figures corroborate the stated 18kW and 38kg, but no independent comparative test is available that ranks the unit against other outboards on power-to-weight. The “unmatched” and “better than petrol” language should be read as ZeroJet’s claim, not as a verified finding. For a buyer, the useful reading is narrower: the stated rating and outboard-unit weight are consistent across the manufacturer and one marine listing, and whether the result is useful depends on the boat, battery and load in question.

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Keep the standalone outboard separate from ZeroJet’s jet systems

ZeroJet also sells integrated electric jet-propulsion systems, with separate specifications, battery requirements, recharge times and warranty terms. Its systems page lists 15kW (20hp equivalent), 22kW (30hp equivalent) and 30kW (40hp equivalent) configurations. The 15kW jet system is listed with a 5.4kWh minimum battery and 47kg jet-system weight. The 22kW and 30kW systems have their own battery and dry-weight figures, which do not apply to the outboard. Its technology page describes a closed-loop motor cooling path, direct drive without a gearbox, LiFePO₄ packs and a battery-management system; those features should be attributed to the outboard only where its own documentation says so.

ZeroJet’s support page also lists a Gen 3 user manual (version 2, dated 30.06.26) and Gen 2 materials. These are system documents and should be checked for the claims they specifically cover.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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