Montreal-based startup Taiga Motors began life in 2015 as a spin-out from the racing team at McGill University, where co-founders Paul Achard, Gabriel Bernatchez and Sam Bruneau worked on electric powertrains.

The company has developed a line of electric snowmobiles, and has now announced an electric watercraft (as reported by Electrek). The Taiga Orca features carbon fiber construction and a 23 kWh battery pack, which the company says will power about two hours of fun on the water.

“The performance package-equipped Orca can generate over 134 kW (180 hp) for incredible acceleration and a top speed up to 104 km/h (65 mph),” says Taiga. “With a sub-five-millisecond response time, the drive delivers incredible control on any terrain. Precision impeller speed control is achieved to maximize efficiency and reduce noise levels under varying conditions. Unlike many electric vehicles, a high power output can be sustained thanks to Taiga’s advanced thermal management system. The innovative closed-loop cooling circuit running through the battery, motor and inverter has been tested to maintain temperature regulation from arctic to tropical conditions.”

The onboard charger is compatible with standard automotive connectors and chargers – it offers 10 kW level 2 charging, as well as optional DC fast charging “for commercial operators.”

The Orca has the sort of electronic goodies you’d expect in an automobile, including a configurable 7-inch center console, GPS, Bluetooth for phone connectivity and Wi-Fi for over-the-air updates. It’s scheduled to go on sale in 2020, starting at $24,000. The company says it will build only 500 units. In the future, Taiga will “enter the recreational personal watercraft segment with models priced below $14,000.”

Source: Taiga Motors via Electrek