Our Story
An electric boating revolution years in the making.
2024
Production of the 15kW Electric Jet for small boats
In early 2024, ZeroJet’s leading 15kW electric jet system went into full production. We see an exciting few years ahead as world-leading small boat builders adopt our great technology, and as we expand our business with some exciting new products on the roadmap.
2023
Award-winning and promising future
In June 2023 the ZeroJet team were thrilled to be given the NZ Hi-Tech Startup Company of the Year award! Then in November, ZeroJet, together with Highfield Boats, received an award in the Supply Chain Collaboration category in the IBI/METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards. That week, ZeroJet was also recognised as a finalist for the DAME Design Awards in the Propulsion & Dynamics category!
2022
Generation 2 product international success
Taking customer feedback and learnings from the first system, the Generation 2 product was developed with a focus on flexibility and ease of installation for boat builders. Performance and efficiency was enhanced with the design and development of a new jet pump and an in-house built motor. The Gen 2 system was showcased at METS 2022 in Amsterdam, and a partnership was announced with Highfield Boats, the world’s leading aluminium RIB manufacturer.
2021
Thriving amid global challenges
Further covid restrictions and lockdowns across New Zealand and the world didn’t stop ZeroJet. The Generation 1 system was refined and put into production thanks to doubling in the size of their team. ZeroJet started gaining international traction!
2020
Exponential growth & rebrand
Despite the relative international chaos of 2020, it was a year of exponential growth for the business. After rebranding to ZeroJet and raising seed capital from investors, the team grew to 10 and successfully built and launched the world’s lightest electric jet tender in partnership with Offshore Cruising Tenders.
2019
Re-focus and first prototype built
With such positive feedback about the impressive performance their electric jetboard was capable of, it was the interest of boat builders that ultimately influenced the team to pivot their business and focus purely on electric jet systems for boats. Although the opportunity was a daunting one, it was also a fantastic chance to make a much greater impact in the world. During this year the first prototype electric jet tender was designed and built.
R&D to high performance electric jet-board
2018
The team had carried out significant Research & Development on a bespoke jet pump design paired with electric motor and custom hull design using their hydrodynamic expertise. The result was a high-performing prototype of the world’s fastest electric jetboard, hitting speeds of 70km/hr!
2015
Teaming up for a greener alternative
Bex and Neil decided to serve up something a bit greener; something to counteract the jetboards’ carbon footprint. So back in New Zealand they founded Voltaic Jetboards. After assembling a team of four engineers the crew started work on a more environmentally-friendly alternative, and they spent the next two years developing high-performance electric jetboards.
ZeroJet's Origin: A Sustainable Vision for Adventure
2014
ZeroJet’s origin began in 2014 when the co-founders - entrepreneurs and outdoors-enthusiasts Bex Rempel and Neil Mans - moved to Perth and opened the world’s first Jetsurf Experience Centre. Through buying, selling and renting out these Czech-made boards, they simultaneously realised a) how big the market was, and b) the negative impact these petrol powered, two-stroke motorised surfboards were having on the environment. During this time Bex made a video which went viral online, and it was further proof that there was an enthusiastic market waiting to be served.