The name Aptera isn’t a new one for those in awe of beautiful boats that waltz over blue waters. But this time, Aptera is in the news by connection because its co-founder, Chris Anthony, has just launched a hybrid electric boat.

Chris Anthony is also the CEO of the Epic Boats, the company famed for the launch of the world’s first wake boat. Epic Boats has now proudly announced the launch of the EPIC 23e, the first electric hybrid boat by the company. The 375hp 22foot craft is powered both by lithium ion batteries and gasoline. According to their press release, the sophisticated Flux Propulsion EVO 8.1 Marine Drive System of the boat allows it to run on the batteries before shifting to using the gasoline which would then power the batteries. The hybrid system makes the boat extremely eco-friendly and maintenance-friendly as well, since it reduces the consumption of fuel and CO2 by 50% and brings down the CO emission by a stunning 90%.

You can take the EPIC 23e to the waters by around July of this year, provided you are willing to shell out $150,000. For those of us who are not as fortunate, Epic Boats reveals that a more accessible version of the EPIC 23e may be available for $70,000 by 2012. Keep your fingers crossed for that one!

Via: AutoBlogGreen