Basic Motors, which has billed itself as “all in on electrification” this 12 months, has acquired a 25% stake in Pure Watercraft, a Seattle start-up that makes electrical outboard motors for boats, the businesses advised CNBC.

Pure Watercraft motors use lithium ion batteries and change 40- to 50-horsepower outboard motors that burn gasoline or diesel. Conventional fuel-powered boats contribute to environmental issues together with noise air pollution, smog, and water air pollution that’s plainly seen floating on the water of their wake. Pure’s programs are a lot quieter and cleaner.

For Pure Watercraft CEO Andy Rebele, a lifelong fishing and boating fanatic and former rowing coach, a private drive to resolve these issues lined up with an enormous market alternative.

In line with the Nationwide Marine Producer’s Affiliation (NMMA) outboard engine gross sales within the U.S. reached a file stage throughout 2020, rising for the ninth consecutive 12 months, to an estimated $3.4 billion.

“The boating market is rising prefer it hasn’t since post-World Warfare II,” says Rebele. “Through the pandemic, individuals wished to do issues with their households, with their pods. Going out on the water is among the perfect issues to do.”

That rising market is on GM’s radar as effectively. CEO Mary Barra hinted at GM’s curiosity in electrical marine transportation in a weblog publish in October, discussing the corporate’s Ultium battery and Hydrotec gas cell platforms.

In line with Rebele, the take care of GM is value $150 million mixed, together with payment-in-kind commitments and capital invested by the autos big. The corporate is just not disclosing the cut up between money and payment-in-kind.

With its funding, GM will grow to be a provider of parts to Pure Watercraft, a co-developer of latest merchandise, and can present engineering, design and manufacturing experience to assist the start-up set up new factories, the businesses advised CNBC.

Its new partnership with GM ought to assist the start-up navigate provide chain points as Pure Watercraft grows, Rebele stated.

For GM, the funding in Pure Watercraft is one other in a sequence of strikes to develop its battery and gas cell programs exterior of automotive. Earlier this 12 months, GM introduced plans to develop and commercialize electrical locomotives with Wabtec. It additionally has proven curiosity in utilizing its batteries and gas cells for aerospace and navy purposes.

Pure Watercraft’s post-money valuation stands at $600 million. The 55-employee start-up had beforehand raised $37 million in enterprise funding.

— CNBC’s Mike Wayland contributed to this report.