Our electric boats
Pioneers in Electric Fjord Tourism
Frank Ole Bonsaksen has over 40 years of experience at sea, with a long career as a captain behind him. During his time off from offshore work, he chose to continue his passion for the ocean and boating in a new way, together with his family. The result was Bonseye AS – an experience-based RIB company based in Hellesylt. The company offers guided tours with high-speed RIB boats through the stunning and iconic fjords of Sunnylvsfjorden and Geirangerfjorden.
Bonseye has maintained a strong environmental focus from the very beginning. As one of the first players in fjord tourism, they made a major move toward green transition by investing heavily in electric RIB boats. This is a significant contribution toward Norway’s national goal of emission-free UNESCO World Heritage fjords by 2026/2032.
Under the Public Eye
Teknisk sett
The requirement for cruise ships to operate fossil-free in the Geirangerfjord has been dropped. For fast small boats engaged in sightseeing, there is no going back. The operator Bonseye, which is based in Hellesylt and Geiranger, spent this year's season proving that from now on, electric boats will be the way to go!
After a long life at sea, he retired – and became an electric boat entrepreneur.
Tourists can take a tour in a 12-seat electric RIB from Hellesylt. The waves crash and seagulls make the most noise.
Technical Collaboration and Boat Design
In 2018, Bonseye began developing an electric RIB in close collaboration with Neptun Båt AS in Sandefjord – a boatbuilding company with over 30 years of experience in RIB manufacturing. Together, they developed custom-designed electric RIBs with carbon fiber catamaran hulls for maximum weight savings and efficiency.
The boats also utilize hydrofoil technology (passive foils), which lift the hull partially out of the water at higher speeds. This dramatically reduces water resistance, allowing the boats to use less energy per nautical mile and delivering a smoother, faster ride.
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Electric Propulsion – Powered by Evoy
At the heart of the propulsion system is cutting-edge technology from Norwegian company Evoy, which specializes in powerful, 100% electric motors for both commercial and private vessels. Bonseye’s boats are equipped with Evoy’s Storm-series outboard motors – specifically the Breeze 120+ – enabling top speeds of up to 35 knots.
They have a range of about 18 nautical miles at 20 knots, made possible by:
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High-density battery packs
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Optimized hull design
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Foils that reduce drag and lift the vessel
Charging and Energy Infrastructure
One of the biggest challenges for electric operation has been charging. Bonseye was the first company with charging needs in Geiranger, making them pioneers in the region. To address this, they invested in their own charging infrastructure in Geiranger, including:
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A dedicated transformer for stable power supply
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A Kempower DC charging trolley that can charge two boats simultaneously with fast charging
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Flexible charging via the CCS2 standard
This allows the boats to operate throughout the season with minimal downtime and no need for fossil fuel backups.
A Green Future for Fjord Tourism
Through these solutions, Bonseye and its partners demonstrate how innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Their electric RIB boats are quiet, powerful, and emission-free – ideal for the vulnerable UNESCO fjords. Bonseye AS, Neptun Båt AS, and Evoy are at the forefront of the maritime green shift, setting a new standard for sustainable experiences at sea.