UCL and RAD publish definitive study on quiet electric marine technology in International Shipping News,Shipping: Emission Possible 28/03/2026 University College London (UCL) has published a landmark peer-reviewed study confirming that RAD’s electric propulsion system dramatically reduces underwater noise compared to equivalent internal combustion engines, with reductions of up to 43 decibels (dB). The research provides clear, scientific evidence that well engineered electric drives can significantly lower acoustic impact on marine life across a wide range of operating speeds. The UK based electric marine propulsion company was proud to collaborate with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UCL on the research paper to analyse underwater noise output. The paper, titled “A comparative study of underwater radiated noise from electric and conventional boats,” has been published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) and represents one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind to date. The collaboration began when UCL’s acoustic research team, led by Dr Tom Smith, approached the RAD team to conduct an underwater radiated noise (URN) trial comparing an equivalent powered conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) outboard with the RAD 40 electric outboard system. RAD supplied a pair of similar vessels for the initial trial, which took place on the River Hamble, in Hampshire, UK. UCL observed that the RAD drive produced significantly lower underwater noise levels than anticipated, even noticeably quieter than any previously tested electric propulsion system, particularly across frequency ranges known to be most harmful to marine mammals. These initial findings prompted the commissioning of a second, more controlled trial. To ensure maximum accuracy and reliability, a lake near Shrewsbury (UK) was selected to provide highly controlled testing conditions. Two identical boats, one fitted with a RAD 40 and one with an ICE outboard of the same power, were each tested over several days. UCL’s team, supported by RAD engineers, collected an extensive dataset including acoustic measurements from two hydrophones, high-speed underwater video footage, and airborne noise measurements across a range of speeds from four to 20 knots. The controlled environment and extended testing period significantly improved the reliability of the results, ultimately providing conclusive evidence in support of the initial River Hamble findings. “Small vessels are often overlooked when it comes to underwater noise, but they can be really loud. They also operate in many sensitive environments and so reducing this noise is critical. The results we obtained from the RAD drive were remarkable, particularly at low speed. It was also good to see that the high frequency electrical noise was much smaller than for some other systems, showing that this is a problem that can be fixed. Overall it’s a really positive result that will hopefully encourage greater uptake of this technology, particularly for operators in environmentally sensitive waters.” commented Dr Tom Smith, UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering. The published paper delivers several significant findings with far-reaching implications for marine conservation and the wider electric marine industry: 43 dB quieter at low speed: At four knots, the RAD electric vessel produced a broadband source level 43 dB lower than the equivalent combustion engine vessel, a vast reduction that represents