Taiga Orca electric Jet Ski debuts in Australia at 2022 Sydney Boat Show -

The Taiga Orca electric Jet Ski is the surprise star of this weekend’s 2022 Sydney Boat Show – after a display model was air-freighted from Canada for the exhibition ahead of a full-scale launch in Australia next year.

The world’s first mass-produced, customer-ready electric Jet Ski has made an unexpected appearance at the 2022 Sydney Boat Show after the Canadian start-up received an undisclosed number of customer orders from Australia.

Production of the Taiga Orca has already started for the North American market – there are currently 3000 pre-orders to fill.

Now the company plans to expand into export markets, and Australia is one of the first stops.

The model on display is the top-of-the-range Taiga Orca Carbon edition, which has a carbon-fibre composite top deck and hull.

Two other models in the Taiga Orca range – the Sport and Performance editions – are constructed from a plastic composite top deck and hull.

All three Taiga Orca models share the same body shape and hull design, 23kWh battery pack, electric motor, and jet pump – but there are two power outputs available.

The cheapest model in the range, the Taiga Orca Sport, has a modest output of 90hp (67kW).

The mid-grade Taiga Orca Performance and flagship Taiga Orca Carbon both have a claimed peak output of 160hp (120kW).

The power output of each model is determined via software rather than hardware changes.

Rather than partner with established personal watercraft brands such as Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner or Kawasaki Jet Ski, Taiga has created its own designs.

Based on dimensions published by the Canadian firm, the Taiga Orca is about the same size as a Sea-Doo Spark Trixx or a Yamaha EX – the entry models of both established brands.

Prices are yet to be confirmed for Australia, however as a guide in the US the Taiga Orca Sport costs from $US17,490 ($AU25,000), the Taiga Orca Performance costs from $US19,490 ($AU28,000), and the flagship Taiga Orca Carbon costs from $US26,500 ($AU38,000).

However, representatives for Taiga at the 2022 Sydney Boat Show were quoting a price estimate of $AU45,490 for the top-line Taiga Orca Carbon edition.

The above prices exclude additional costs such as a Jet Ski trailer and registration fees.

The Taiga Orca Carbon at the 2022 Sydney Boat Show is a display model only.

It is not equipped with an electric motor or battery pack, making it easier to airfreight to the 2022 Sydney Boat Show.

Exact arrival timing for the Taiga brand in Australia is yet to be confirmed because the company is still in the process of appointing a dealer network.

A representative for Taiga head office in Canada told Watercraft Zone in a phone interview Taiga would launch in Australia with direct online sales supported by local independent outlets.

Under the plan, Australian customers will order their Taiga electric personal watercraft online via the company’s website at non-negotiable fixed prices.

To order a Taiga Orca Sport or a Taiga Orca Performance, Australian customers must place a $US100 deposit. The top-line Taiga Orca Carbon requires a deposit of $US1000.

Prices are listed as a guide only, and are subject to change closer to the production date. However the deposits are fully refundable if the RRP stretches beyond the customer’s budget.

While Taiga will handle payment and online ordering through its head office website, the company will appoint local dealers to take care of customer handovers and routine servicing requirements.

Taiga says the Orca needs minimal maintenance – there are no oil changes, filter swaps, or spark plugs to replace – however Jet Pumps will likely still need to be checked for wear or damage.

The capacity of the sealed lithium-ion battery pack is listed at 23kWh. When the watercraft is not in use, Taiga says it takes five years to run out of juice after a full charge.

Taiga says it can fully recharge its electric Jet Ski overnight – in about eight hours – via an Australian 240V household power socket, or to 80 per cent capacity in either 30 minutes or 90 minutes depending on which type of fast-charger is used.

In the US, Taiga advises overnight charging takes up to 14 hours based on 120V household power outlets.

Warranty on the construction of the watercraft is listed at one year, however the battery pack and electric motor have three-year warranty coverage.

In Australia this compares to Sea-Doo’s standard two-year coverage (with occasional three-year warranty promotions), Yamaha WaveRunner’s three-year warranty, and Kawasaki Jet Ski’s industry-leading five-year coverage.

Taiga is an electric powersports start-up founded in 2015 by three engineering graduates from McGill University in Montreal.

Taiga started with a range of electric snowmobiles and had been developing an electric Jet Ski prior to the pandemic, until global lockdowns and production interruptions at parts suppliers delayed the program’s progress.

However, the Taiga Orca is now back on track. In mid-July 2022, Taiga announced it had started full-scale production in its Canada factory ahead of the first customer deliveries in North America in the coming months.

When asked about concerns regarding electrocution or fire risk given that a high-capacity battery pack is being used in a small personal watercraft – which are known to get wet engine bays despite the widespread use of seals – the Taiga head office spokesman said the battery pack and electric motor are sealed units and do not pose a safety risk to riders.

The Taiga representative said there were no plans to introduce a battery-swap system for faster top-ups.

Limited technical information is available, however data shows the Taiga Orca is similar in size to the Sea-Doo Spark Trixx and Yamaha EX WaveRunner, both of which are entry models.

The weight of the battery pack makes the Taiga Orca much heavier than its petrol-powered rivals.

The Taiga Orca Carbon weight is listed at 335kg. This compares to a dry weight of 249kg for a Yamaha EX or 199kg for a Spark Trixx three-seater – and not far off the 388kg dry weight of a 2022 Yamaha FX HO.

The quoted maximum riding range of 45km appears to be modest by class standards.

The Yamaha EX with its standard 50-litre fuel tank can easily run for at least 100km, even when being thrashed.

The Spark Trixx with its standard 30-litre fuel tank can comfortably exceed a riding distance of 70km.

Although these Sea-Doo and Yamaha vessels are available with three-seat capacity, all Taiga Orca models for now are two-seaters.

It is unclear if Taiga will expand its electric watercraft line-up to include a larger three-seater Jet Ski.

While most personal watercraft companies do not give customers a choice of colour schemes across most models, the Taiga Orca is available with seven colour options.

All models come with a 7.0-inch high-resolution digital display, a small glovebox, modest bow storage, and adjustable trim to raise or lower the nose, depending on water conditions.

Taiga says the throttle response of the electric motor is 1 millisecond, though there is no acceleration claim, only a top speed estimate of up to 100km/h for the top-of-the-range model.

The rollout of the Taiga Orca electric Jet Ski is sure to raise eyebrows at the established brands Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.

Sea-Doo has teased an electric personal watercraft for a number of years, based on its popular GTI series.

Industry insiders say an electric Sea-Doo will be in showrooms within a few years; Yamaha and Kawasaki are yet to foreshadow any electric plans.

Taiga Orca Sport
Price: $US17,490 plus trailer and registration fees ($AU25,000)
Power: 90hp (67kW) electric
Range: 45km, two hours (estimated)
Battery capacity: 23kWh
Construction: Plastic composite hull and top deck
Drive modes: Range and Sport
Top speed: 80km/h (estimated)
Weight: 365kg (estimated)
Warranty: 1 year on construction, 3 years on electric motor and battery pack

Taiga Orca Performance
Price: $US19,490 plus trailer and registration fees ($AU28,000)
Power: 160hp (120kW) electric
Range: 45km, two hours (estimated)
Battery capacity: 23kWh
Construction: Plastic composite hull and top deck
Drive modes: Range, Sport, and Wild
Top speed: 90km/h (estimated)
Weight: 365kg (estimated)
Warranty: 1 year on construction, 3 years on electric motor and battery pack

Taiga Orca Carbon
Price: $US26,500 plus trailer and registration fees ($AU38,000)
Power: 160hp (120kW) electric
Range: 45km, two hours (estimated)
Battery capacity: 23kWh
Construction: Carbon-fibre deck and composite hull
Drive modes: Range, Sport, and Wild
Top speed: 100km/h (estimated)
Weight: 335kg
Warranty: 1 year on construction, 3 years on electric motor and battery pack