Australia is seeing an alarming rise in fires linked to poorly-built lithium batteries and low-grade electric motors. In most cases the cause is simple — products being sold “as cheap as possible” with no meaningful testing, no proper battery-management system, and no adherence to international marine safety standards. At VWC we take a very different approach. Every electric motor and battery system we use follows recognised European standards, including EN ISO 16315 for electric propulsion in watercraft and EN/IEC 62619 for lithium battery safety. These standards require real-world testing for overcharge, short-circuit, thermal stability, vibration, water ingress, and protection against thermal runaway. This gives our customers the reassurance that the heart of their craft — the motor and battery — has been designed and tested properly, not guessed at.
Cheap imports flooding the Australian market usually look fine on the outside. The problem is what sits inside: low-grade cells, cut-price controllers, weak wiring, and battery packs assembled without proper thermal protection. Many have no compliant Battery Management System at all. When these systems are pushed in Australian heat, or charged incorrectly, they can overheat, swell, vent gas, or ignite. Fires are difficult to extinguish and can spread rapidly. By contrast, VWC requires our manufacturers to follow strict European test procedures, cell-selection protocols, and thermal-safety requirements. We only use battery packs built with reputable cell chemistry, sealed casings, proper balancing systems, temperature sensors, automatic cut-offs, and wiring capable of handling the load safely. These are the “unseen” parts of the product — but they are the very parts that determine whether a craft is dependable or dangerous.
Just as importantly, European standards enforce engineering discipline. They govern how the motor integrates with the battery, how charging is controlled, what protections must activate under stress, and how the entire system behaves in a marine environment. Saltwater, vibration, humidity and heat can expose weaknesses very quickly. Cheap uncertified systems simply cannot guarantee stability under those conditions. European-compliant systems, however, must demonstrate real-world durability before they ever reach the customer. It is a level of accountability that most low-end suppliers never submit to — and that difference shows over time.
For VWC customers — including surf lifesaving clubs, councils, tourist resorts and private buyers — safety cannot be an afterthought. These organisations need equipment that protects staff and the public. They need confidence that the battery does not carry hidden risks. They need reliability delivered through sound engineering, not chance. By insisting on European standards as our baseline, VWC provides exactly that — dependable products built to withstand Australian conditions, with all components chosen for safety, stability and long service life.
As a result, VWC offers the reassurance that comes from proper compliance and proper craftsmanship. We are not the cheapest — and we never intend to be — but we are committed to supplying electric watercraft that meet international safety benchmarks, protect our customers, and maintain the standards expected in a responsible marine industry. This is the traditional, thorough, engineering-first approach that underpins the VWC brand, and it remains one of the most important reasons to choose us over a low-cost alt
