Lateral’s 70-metre ENX study would use batteries for Mediterranean cruising and life aboard, with generators extending its range and shore charging between trips.
A 60 MWh battery installation is at the centre of ENX, Lateral Naval Architects’ 70-metre yacht study presented at the Monaco Yacht Show. Its intended operating pattern is battery-powered charter trips, followed by charging alongside, with generators available for longer passages. 1
ENX remains an engineering study rather than a yacht under construction. The proposed battery installation depends on improvements in technology, so its published figures should be read as design targets rather than demonstrated performance. 1
Designed around the cruising programme
Lateral used yacht movement records and operating data to estimate the energy needed for Mediterranean trips. Across five representative itineraries, the calculated demand was 37 - 50 MWh, covering propulsion and life aboard. The proposed 60 MWh installation includes additional capacity for reserve and the gradual loss of battery capacity with age. 1 2
A yacht at anchor still consumes electricity, particularly for air conditioning, so a longer stay can require substantial energy even when little distance is travelled.
The design is 12 m beam, draws 3.5 m at full load and measures about 1,700 GT. It uses Lateral’s Series A hull for efficient lower-speed cruising, alongside attention to air conditioning and the management of heat throughout the yacht. 1
Small reductions in continuous consumption can add up. For example, reducing the average electrical load by 20 kW for a week saves 3.36 MWh. This is an illustrative calculation, not a saving claimed for ENX.
How the power system works
The proposed direct-current (DC) grid would distribute electricity for both propulsion and hotel services—the onboard demand from accommodation and equipment such as the galley and laundry. Batteries would provide the main energy store, with variable-speed generators available when needed. 1 2
A typical marine DC system helps explain the power flow shown in the illustration above. Generators produce alternating current (AC). Rectifiers, labelled AC/DC convert it to DC for distribution along the main electrical conductors, known as the DC bus An AC shore connection also needs conversion and charging equipment before it can replenish the batteries. 3 6
The batteries both receive and supply energy through protected connections. Some designs use DC/DC converters to adjust voltage and control the energy transferred; others connect batteries directly to a compatible DC bus. The motor drives then use DC/AC inverters to control the AC supply to the propulsion motors. Separate equipment supplies the yacht’s conventional AC circuits. 3 6
When the generators are running, they can supply onboard demand while any surplus charges the batteries. Their output does not have to pass through the battery cells first. Because power is converted between the engines and the consumers, generator speed can change without disturbing the AC frequency supplied to accommodation equipment. That gives the engines more freedom to operate efficiently. 3 6
Lateral’s earlier Kairos concept also used batteries as the main source of delivered energy, supported by diesel generation for charging and faster cruising. 4
MWh measures stored energy, whereas MW measures power. ENX’s 60 MWh figure therefore does not tell us the size of its motors or how long it can operate at a particular speed.
Electric propulsion options
Electric propulsion could use motors inside the hull driving conventional propeller shafts. Another option is an azimuth thruster, a propulsion unit that turns to steer the yacht. In some versions, an inboard motor drives the propeller through gearing. ABB’s Azipod takes a different approach, placing the motor underwater inside the steerable pod. Azipod is ABB’s product name, not a general term for all electric propulsion. 7 8
The sources reviewed do not confirm which arrangement ENX would use or provide motor and generator ratings. Operating voltages are also unconfirmed, so the system cannot yet be described as high voltage or low voltage on the strength of its battery capacity.
Cruising and longer passages
Lateral’s published targets are 625 nautical miles on battery power and 4,500 nautical miles with the generating plant, which it calls the Energy Extender. The stated range speed is 11 knots, with 14 knots as the maximum speed. 1
For the modelled charter trips, batteries would supply propulsion and accommodation without continuous generator operation. On longer passages, generation would reduce dependence on finding a charging berth. At anchor, accommodation demand would still draw down the stored energy. The charter energy estimates cover complete trips, so they should not be confused with the separate battery-only range figure. 1 2
With the engines stopped, there would be no engine exhaust during that period of operation. The overall emissions benefit would also depend on how the electricity used for charging was generated. 2
The battery installation
The batteries would occupy three rooms, positioned towards the bow, the middle of the yacht and the stern. The estimated installation weight is 300 tonnes, based on Lateral’s expectation of a 20% improvement in marine-battery energy density within five years. In this context, better energy density means storing more energy for a given weight. It is an assumption behind the study. 1
For comparison, the 111-metre Leviathan has around 5.5 MWh of batteries, approximately one-eleventh of ENX’s proposed capacity. 2
No battery supplier or chemistry has been confirmed in the sources reviewed. The wider discussion considers nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP), both lithium-ion technologies. NMC’s relatively high energy density can help with weight and space. LFP is also being considered for yachts that use a large proportion of their stored energy gradually, rather than demanding very high power for short periods. Neither is yet presented as ENX’s selected battery. 2
Marine guidance calls for monitoring of battery temperature and remaining charge, together with controls that protect the cells and manage the available power. ENX’s detailed cooling and control arrangements are not established in the published material reviewed. 5
Charging between trips
The estimated recharge time is 10–48 hours from 20% to 100%, depending on the shore connection. 1
For a nominal 60 MWh battery, that means replacing 48 MWh. Dividing energy by time gives an average charging power of 1 MW over 48 hours, or 4.8 MW over ten hours. The shore supply would need additional capacity for charging losses and whatever the yacht continues to consume alongside.
These are calculated averages, not specified charger ratings. They show why a berth with enough power for ordinary hotel services may still be unsuitable for a quick recharge. The operating plan would need to account for the power available at that particular berth and the time the yacht can remain there.
Safety provisions
The proposed battery rooms have A60 fire-rated separation and watermist protection, supported by ventilation and automatic shutdown. Assessment of the complete installation by a classification society would still be required. A fire-extinguishing system has not yet been confirmed. 1
A damaged lithium-ion cell can enter thermal runaway, an uncontrolled self-heating reaction that may continue after electrical isolation. Marine guidance therefore covers cooling and preventing spread, as well as managing flammable gases. ENX would need an approved response suited to its selected batteries; the information published so far is not a firefighting procedure. 5
ENX at Monaco Yacht Show
Lateral’s 2026 show announcement directs visitors to stand LC9 in the Designer Gallery, during Monaco Yacht Show on 23–26 September. This is where visitors can discuss the new technical platform, rather than board a completed ENX yacht. Confirm the stand location against the current show map when visiting. 9
References
1. Lateral unveils 70m ENX yacht concept with 60 MWh battery system. Andrea Pefianco, SuperYacht Times, 23 September 2026. Source of the reported ENX dimensions, energy modelling and performance targets, including the battery-development assumptions and proposed safety arrangements.
2. How far can batteries take you?. Martin H. Redmayne, SuperyachtNews, 24 September 2026. Reporting on Lateral’s approach to yacht energy demand and the wider battery context. The equipment comparison and chemistry discussion are attributed to this report.
3. Onboard DC Grid. ABB. Manufacturer explanation of marine DC distribution, variable-speed generation and energy-source integration. Technical background only; not confirmation of an ENX supply contract.
4. Kairos. Lateral Naval Architects. Primary description of Lateral’s earlier battery-led e-Hybrid concept and the role of its diesel generators.
5. MGN 550 (M+F) Amendment 1: Safe design, installation and operation of lithium-ion batteries. UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, 3 January 2024. Sections 2, 4, 7 and 9 support the general discussion of battery monitoring, cooling, isolation and fire protection; this is not ENX’s approved design or emergency procedure.
6. HES880 — marine power-conversion applications. ABB. Describes generator rectification, motor inverters, DC/DC conversion and AC supplies for hotel loads. Used only to explain conversion functions; this product has not been identified as ENX equipment.
7. Azipod electric propulsion. ABB. Explains submerged, steerable electric propulsion and identifies Azipod as ABB’s registered trademark. Not an ENX equipment selection.
8. More design freedom with new SCHOTTEL LE-Drive. SCHOTTEL, 21 April 2021. Explains an alternative electric azimuth arrangement with the motor above the thruster. Not an ENX equipment selection.
9. Lateral Naval Architects — Monaco Yacht Show announcement. Lateral’s official company updates for the September 2026 show. Its dated announcement gives LC9, Designer Gallery, for 23–26 September. Used for the visitor directions rather than the conflicting exhibitor-directory entry.
Sources reviewed 24 September 2026.