#85 - Venture Spotlight: Lyte Drive

I recently reconnected with Charles Hall, Co-Founder of Lyte Drive, a marine tech startup developing electric jet propulsion systems that deliver cleaner, quieter, and more efficient performance for boats and coastal vessels.

Based in Dorset, Lyte Drive operates within a region becoming a testbed for clean marine technologies, home to an increasing number of electric boat builders, component manufacturers, and sustainable propulsion pioneers.

Charles, whose background spans Pixii Electric Boats and NEVA Group, brings both deep technical expertise and hands-on sailing experience as a Yachtmaster Offshore (ahoy). 

Together with his team, he’s driving forward a vision: to create propulsion systems that are as efficient and lightweight as they are sustainable.

The company is now developing their next generation of electric propulsion systems for boats, combining performance, simplicity, and environmental responsibility.

Hope you enjoy and get in contact if you are in the space! 

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The Problem

Marine propulsion remains one of the toughest areas to electrify. While cars and aircraft have made major strides in clean energy, most boats still depend on fossil fuels, bringing high emissions, engine noise, and costly maintenance.

The reasons are mostly technical:

• Energy density: Marine batteries store far less energy than fuel, limiting range and endurance for most vessels.

• Weight and space: Battery packs are heavy and take up valuable hull volume, affecting buoyancy, balance, and cargo capacity.

• Heat management: Motors and power electronics require advanced cooling to avoid efficiency losses during sustained operation.

• Hydrodynamics: Propulsion systems must work efficiently underwater, where drag and flow resistance are much greater than on land or in air.

• Charging gaps: Most marinas and ports lack high-capacity charging points or standardised connectors, slowing adoption.

• Complex integration: Hybrid systems can offset battery limits but introduce additional control and engineering complexity.

These barriers have left the marine sector somewhat behind in the energy transition. Yet with rising environmental regulations and customer demand for low-impact boating, the need for efficient, lightweight electric propulsion is on the rise.

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The Solution

Lyte Drive is tackling these propulsion challenges head-on with its electric jet drive and battery and hybrid powertrain technology, designed from the ground up for efficiency, performance, and sustainability.

Instead of relying on traditional propeller systems, Lyte Drive’s electric jet drive delivers thrust by accelerating water through a compact, high-efficiency nozzle, reducing drag, noise, and maintenance. The result is a propulsion system that performs as smoothly as a jet ski drive but operates with the precision and silence of a modern EV motor.

Key design principles behind Lyte Drive’s approach include:

• Lightweight engineering: The use of recyclable aluminium and advanced composites keeps total system weight low, improving vessel balance and extending range.

• Hydrodynamic optimisation: The jet drive’s geometry is tuned to maximise water flow and thrust while minimising turbulence and cavitation losses.

• Powertrain adaptability: The modular design can be configured for full-electric or hybrid systems, allowing integration across small craft, tenders, and coastal vessels.

• Efficiency breakthroughs: Early testing has shown the drive to be up to 20% more efficient than comparable electric propulsion units using the same energy input — a meaningful step forward for range and power management.

• Sustainability by design: Beyond propulsion, Lyte Drive’s manufacturing process prioritises recyclable materials, low-waste production, and circular design principles.

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The Team & Partnerships

Team

• Co-Founder – Charles Hall

An entrepreneur and qualified Yachtmaster Offshore, Charles brings over a decade of hands-on experience in electric vessel design and propulsion systems. Before founding Lyte Drive, he contributed to projects at Pixii Electric Boats and NEVA Group, where he focused on electric power integration, hull optimisation, and clean propulsion testing.

• Co-Founder — Daniel Simpson

Technical lead behind NEVA’s propulsion platform, with deep expertise in marine engineering and system integration.

Core Expertise

• Mechanical & Electrical Systems Design: Balancing performance, energy efficiency, and reliability in harsh marine environments.

• Hydrodynamic Engineering: Developing propulsion geometries that maximise water flow and thrust with minimal turbulence.

• Maritime Operations Insight: Translating real sailing and vessel-handling experience into practical, user-centred system design.

Key Partnerships & Collaborations

• Pixii Electric Boats and NEVA Group — aligned on sustainable vessel development and propulsion testing.

• Connected Places Catapult (TRIG Programme) — UK Government innovation support validating Lyte Drive’s early-stage prototypes.

• Academic and Industry Partners — involved in component development, hydrodynamic modelling, and prototype validation trials.

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Traction

Public Funding & Recognition

• Awarded UK Government innovation funding through the Connected Places Catapult’s Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme.

• Recognised as a promising solution within the UK’s clean maritime and electrification agenda, aligning with the Department for Transport’s decarbonisation priorities.

• Innovate UK grant funding. 

• Launchpad South west.

• Lead investor working with their vision. 

• First vessel sales.

Prototype Validation & Testing

• The TRIG-funded phase enabled real-world testing of Lyte Drive’s electric jet propulsion system.

• Trials confirmed up to 20% higher efficiency compared with similar propulsion units using the same energy input.

• Demonstrated reduced energy consumption, extended range, and improved hydrodynamic performance under typical operating conditions.

Technology Impact

• Verified data indicates tangible gains in range and endurance for electric and hybrid vessels.

• The system’s modular configuration has proven adaptable for various hull types, from tenders and workboats to leisure craft.

• These results strengthen Lyte Drive’s case for future pilot integrations and commercial-scale manufacturing partnerships.

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Future Possibilities

Lyte Drive’s next steps focus on scaling from prototype to production, beginning with small craft and recreational boats before expanding into commercial and coastal fleets.

The system’s modular design opens opportunities for integration with solar-electric, autonomous, and hybrid configurations, supporting the shift toward cleaner short-sea and harbour operations.

With Dorset and the wider UK South Coast emerging as a testbed for sustainable marine mobility, Lyte Drive is well-positioned.

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Closing Remarks

With performance data and traction backing its design, Lyte Drive feels like a glimpse of where small-craft propulsion is heading lighter, cleaner, and purpose-built for the realities of coastal operation.I have confidence in Charles and I would recommend getting in touch!

You can find out more at https://lyte-drive.com/ 

And if you’re working on something similar in the blue innovation space, drop me a line, I’m always keen to hear what’s next.