Vision Marine Technologies has filed a U.S. patent application for a dual-mode trim-control system designed to allow electric outboard motors to be repositioned without powering up the entire propulsion system.
The proposed technology aims to simplify routine operations such as maintenance, transport and launching by enabling trim adjustments directly from the motor or through compatible helm controls while keeping the high-voltage propulsion system inactive.
The patent application is currently under review by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Designed for Everyday Boat Operations
Unlike conventional gasoline outboards, electric propulsion systems operate using high-voltage electrical architectures that introduce different operational and maintenance requirements.
Vision Marine said the new design addresses situations where users only need to raise or lower the outboard during storage, trailering, servicing or docking without activating the complete propulsion system.
The company believes separating trim functionality from propulsion startup could improve convenience, reduce unnecessary energy consumption and simplify integration with modern electronic vessel control systems.
Expanding Electric Marine Technology
Chief Executive Officer Alexandre Mongeon said electric marine propulsion requires a fully integrated engineering approach rather than treating each component independently.
“Marine-specific electric propulsion requires that the full outboard system operate as an integrated architecture.”
He added that the proposed trim-control system was developed to reflect practical operating conditions encountered by boat owners, technicians and manufacturers.
The latest patent application expands the intellectual property surrounding Vision Marine’s E-Motion electric propulsion platform, which has been engineered specifically for marine applications.
The company has also pursued patent protection covering cooling systems, propulsion controls and secure communications technologies for its electric outboard platform.
Supporting Wider Adoption
Vision Marine said its 180-horsepower E-Motion electric propulsion system has already been commercialized and integrated into more than 25 boat models produced by 13 recreational marine brands.
While the company attracted attention in 2023 after one of its electric boats reached 116 miles per hour, setting a speed record for the category, the latest patent focuses on improving the everyday ownership experience rather than maximizing performance.
By allowing flexible trim adjustments during routine activities such as launching, docking and servicing, the company believes the technology could make electric outboard systems more practical as adoption continues to grow.
The patent application will now undergo examination by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office before any intellectual property rights are granted. The agency has not indicated when the review process is expected to conclude.
