Blade electric outboards adds power boost, driving modes, new throttle to 3 model lineup

April 21, 2026 Jeff Butler 0 Comments Blade

With the addition of a range of performance and handling improvements and innovations for 2026, Blade electric outboards is staying true to one of their core R&D Commitments: Continuous Improvement.

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Founded in 2022 by a group of lifelong boaters who had also been colleagues in the engineering, aerospace and technology industries, Blade was born out of their shared frustration with the options then available for low-power outboards – both fossil fuel and electric.

They had all grown up exploring the sun-soaked waters of Anna Maria Island, Florida, so their love of clean water, fresh air and the sights, sounds and smells of nature led them to an electric solution. It also fit well with their professional backgrounds. The goal was to merge aerospace precision with marine practicality ‘to redefine what electric propulsion can be’.

They also knew that the high quality of the motor they were envisioning had to be matched with equally high value. To get combustion outboard buyers to take a serious look at electric they figured they needed to reach a retail price point of somewhere around $300-$350 (€250- €300) per kiloWatt hour.

‘Rudder style’ Blade electric outboards

One of the challenges of getting there is having the right supply chain. Fortunately, one of the Blade team has a 15 year history of operating aerospace manufacturing facilities that produce highly reliable and highly precise components for demanding environments.

The team set out designing and sourcing everything they would need – motors, batteries, software, transom brackets, chargers and other accessories– to create what they refer to as the Halo Ecosystem that brings together the vision they had of power, control, and connectivity.

By 2025 the first Blade motors were engineered, produced and on the market. The HALO series of motors come in three power ratings, with the model numbers matching closer to the horsepower than to the kiloWatts: the HALO 3 has 1.2 kW of continuous power, the HALO 6 has 3 kW and the HALO 10 has 6 kW. All are ‘rudder-style’ electric outboards, where the shaft also assists in steering the boat.

All motors are built on 48 Volt architecture. The 3 and 6 have integrated batteries (1.7 kWh) while the HALO 10 has an external 5kWh battery that can also be used with the lower power models.

Docking, Normal, Eco, Sport and Boost modes

These first Blade electric outboards hit the quality and price goals the company had set, were well received and the team was pleased, but they also knew they had agreed on a core value as part of their mission. From the Blade website:

Relentless innovation. Continuous improvement. Firmware updates, smarter tech, and new features every year will ensure our products are always ahead of the curve, giving boaters performance and confidence that others can’t match.

For 2026 they have introduced a number of changes.

Probably the most noticeable are the new advanced driving modes. Docking Mode allows gentle, precise control for low-speed maneuvering without any unexpected bursts. Normal Mode provides the balanced power and efficiency that is used for most occasions. Eco Mode optimizes the energy output to extend range and Sport Mode enables maximum thrust and acceleration for demanding conditions. There is also a short term Boost mode, activated with a button. On the HALO 6, for example, that provides a boost from 3 kW to 5kW that can be used for up to 30 seconds.

Another innovation you can feel immediately is a redesigned throttle system that allows you to adjust the resistance of the throttle control for your own driving preferences. The throttle can also be configured for ambidextrous use and has an expanded 180º range of travel.

Beneath the water, extensive work was done on developing, testing and refining the shape and pitch of the propeller blades for optimal hydrodynamics.

Full speed and range figures on Blade website

Other changes include real-time anti-theft tracking, remote diagnostics, and performance data through built-in connectivity; stronger bluetooth range with the HALO app along with next-gen GPS precision; and a new isolated structure for the HALO 3 and 6 that protects and stabilizes the battery within the ‘rudder shaft’, even in rough water conditions.

These are all well thought out innovations and improvements on a line of products that was already very good, especially in terms of performance. The HALO 3 has a maximum speed of 10.5 kph (CBCBCB) and maximum range of 40 km and 6.8 hours. The HALO 6 has the same maximum range and untime, but a top speed of 19 kpg (DDDDD) and the HALO 10 has a yop speed of 27 kph and range of 6.7 hours and 53 km (with the larger 5 kWh bexternal batery).

Full results and details of how the testing was conducted can be found on the Blade website along with a ton of other information about all of the Blade electric outboard, batteries and app. There are also performance comparisons with other similarly powered electric outboards.

Blade website