Disagree....They are already making some and if you look at Lithium tech now, the batteries would fit in the same footprint as a normal gas tank on a boat. Look at the Torqeedo's and their batteries, granted smaller motors but the tech is nearly there. Its a fascinating subject for sure....There are electric drag boats in the Pacific NW that are insanely fast.

https://www.torqeedo.com/us/en-us/products/outboards/deep-blue

Here's a company making some heavy duty high HP electric motors. The 300 and 450 are in beta available in the next few years. The 150 is available now.

Someday it will come to our waters...And not polluting the waterways with gas & oil makes a lot of sense. I hope the Mercury announcement is a step in this direction.

https://www.evoy.no/outboard/

I think the energy density of a battery has not been significantly lowered in years. Cost is one thing and I think they will have lower cost and shorter charge times in the near future but the power to weigh of gas versus electric is not going to change dramatically.
I would think a diesel hybrid would not be a big jump since its been around awhile. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Might finally be releasing the CVT, with the oversized mid section housing the torque processor and the valve body. Essentially geared drive without gears so the top end can wind up for the torque then back down to run at 5000 rpm instead of 6200 all the time, still achieving mid 70s, reducing friction generated heat required for maintaining tight tolerances and extending parts life, and also MPG increased +/-19%. Don’t think they are ready for mass produced electric, likely a hybrid first. Guess we will see...

Ok. A real guess.

36v electrical system in the motor that eliminates the camshaft components. This would allow computer controlled valving, reduced parasitic power loss. The TRUE variable lift would allow for extreme low end torque, midrange, and superior high end power. Very low emissions, and very good fuel mileage.

Or maybe a new color scheme.

"unveiling an outboard that delivers boaters unrivaled freedom, luxury and power to pursue their passions on the water." Now this is beginning to make sense!

This is an accurate statement^^^^^IMHO. Battery size like in an electric automobile is not that different than the fuel tank for a gas motor. And performance? One of the all time fastest accelerating production vehicles ever is a Tesla. The limitations for outboards will be the same as they are for automobiles: limited mileage or run time. Without of course doubling or triple the size of the batteries thus increasing weight and cost.

I think they just need to build the hull out of batteries then you will have more storage

This reply is dumbfounding...

I am not a liberal. I am, however, sick of uneducated, generalized statements with out having any substance behind it.

If we are all avid outdoor enthusiast... why would you not want newer technology to help protect our outdoors for the future?

Mercury 4-stroke already have that option.

I think that's called Nuclear...lol

As to the meat and potatoes. Those batteries are not made with unicorn farts and fairy dust. Nor are they charged with electricity produced by sprinkling quinoa over kale.

This! And I am saving the last unicorn fart I found in a Zip-loc bag for my next big tourney!!

Just watch how fast these liberal states, water districts, and municipal water supply lakes ban gas outboards when an electric outboard becomes available on a large scale. The cost of the outboard will be irrelevant. It will happen in the blink of an eye.

You're right! That is a scary thought!

I guess after the last year with Covid, those wild elections, what’s looming on the horizon.....some of us just need to laugh out loud to relieve tension or “blow off some steam”. Not necessarily meaning to offend anyone....