A market on the brink of transformation
The marine industry stands at a pivotal moment, one that mirrors the early days of automotive electrification. Just as the automotive sector once grappled with the shift from internal combustion to electric propulsion, marine is now beginning to explore what electrification means beyond simply replacing diesel engines with batteries.
This is a market still in its infancy, where the first signs of high-voltage architectures and advanced power electronics are only just emerging. A few years ago, 800V systems and Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology were considered cutting-edge in cars; today, they’re essential.
But unlike automotive, marine applications face different challenges: longer continuous performance requirements, more corrosive environments, and complex energy demands. These challenges demand not just electrification, but intelligent electrification: systems designed from the ground up to meet the unique demands of marine use. Taking learnings from the automotive and aerospace markets, there is a real opportunity to lead the next step of marine electrification.
Learning from automotive: The Four Waves of Electrification
At the heart of Motion Applied’s electrification philosophy lies a framework we call The Waves of Electrification: a model that has guided our approach across multiple industries. It was first articulated when we launched our 800V Silicon Carbide inverter, MCU-600, into the automotive sector, and it continues to shape how we think about emerging electrification markets like marine.
Here’s how the journey unfolds:
Wave 1: Pioneering innovation
Think Tesla Roadster and Nissan Leaf. These early EVs weren’t anywhere near today’s performance levels, but they proved the concept - showing the world that electric vehicles could be viable.Wave 2: The rush to market
OEMs began to recognise the commercial potential of EVs, leading to a surge of new models. Most were retrofitted into existing platforms and built around 400V architectures - a necessary step, but not yet optimised.Wave 3: Optimised platforms
As the market matured, OEMs sought differentiation through performance and efficiency. Enter 800V systems and SiC power electronics; unlocking faster charging, better thermal management, and significant gains in energy efficiency.Wave 4: Differentiation
With 800V and SiC now mainstream, the focus shifts to software. OEMs begin leveraging software to create unique driving experiences, improve energy management, and unlock new value for customers.
Today, the automotive industry is firmly in Wave 4. Major manufacturers have embraced dedicated 800V platforms and are racing to deliver smarter, more differentiated vehicles.
The marine sector, by contrast, is still in Wave 2. Market leaders are proving that electric boats can be both functional and desirable, and the number of new entrants is growing rapidly. But the question remains: who will take the leap to Wave 3 - and gain the performance, efficiency, and commercial edge that comes with it?
The next step in marine electrification: 800V Silicon Carbide
The marine sector is beginning to move beyond basic electrification. We’re seeing early signs of a shift toward 800V architectures and the first signs of interest in SiC power electronics, technologies that transformed automotive efficiency and performance.
These aren’t just incremental upgrades. Higher voltage systems mean faster charging, lighter cabling, and better thermal management. SiC enables smaller, more efficient inverters that are ideal for space-constrained marine environments.
For marine operators, these technologies offer more than performance gains, they unlock real commercial value. Higher efficiency means longer range or smaller battery packs, delivering more value for money. Faster charging improves vessel turnaround and uptime, enhancing commercial business cases or indeed making the option viable at all.
In a sector where margins are tight and infrastructure is limited, every kilowatt counts. There is no question that a shift to 800V is necessary, and those who act early will be best placed to deliver tomorrow’s market leading vessels.
Introducing the Motion Applied inverter family
At Motion Applied, we’ve spent years developing power electronics that deliver market leading performance, efficiency, and reliability. MCU-600 is our 12th inverter iteration and the result of that journey.
Originally launched into the automotive sector, MCU-600 is a compact, high-voltage inverter built on the latest 800V SiC architecture. Already in production in the automotive market in the Czinger 21C, and establishing presence in the aerospace market with Ascendance, Horizon Aircraft, and several others, we now believe the marine market is ready to leverage its benefits.
For shipbuilders, outboard manufacturers, and system integrators, MCU-600 offers a clear path to higher efficiency, reduced system weight, and faster charging; all critical for making electric marine platforms commercially viable. Delivering over 400kW of power in a 6.4kg package, with a flexible software platform that enables true differentiation.
Alongside MCU-600 sits MCU-X, the customisable inverter platform. Built with the same market-leading hardware and software technology as MCU-600, MCU-X offers a route to bespoke inverter packaging and performance tailored to specific use cases.
Building the future of marine, together
The marine industry is at a turning point. The technology is available, the market is picking up speed, and the opportunity to lead is wide open. Motion Applied is bringing decades of electrification experience into the sector, with the MCU-600 inverter leading the charge.
Whether you're developing high-performance electric vessels, commercial fleets, or next-generation outboards, we want to work with you to unlock the full potential of electrification and take your products to the next stage.
It’s time to rethink what electric marine platforms can be; optimised, efficient, and built for the future.