Torqeedo has expanded its "Electric Explorers" brand ambassador program with two new additions: Michael Walther, environmental activist and co-founder of the Zero Emissions project, and Hendrik Wirschum, a freshwater ecologist based at Lake Starnberg in Bavaria. Both use the Travel XS, the entry-level motor from the Travel family with 700 watts of input power and a 648 Wh lithium-ion battery.
"Electric mobility on the water is about changing the way we experience and protect our waters," says Heiko Vietmeier, CEO of Torqeedo. "Through our Electric Explorers program, we are bringing together people who share this vision and show how modern electric propulsion can support a wide range of applications on the water."
Walther co-founded the Zero Emissions project in 2008 and organises water sports initiatives aimed at environmental awareness. Past activities include a SUP expedition to Greenland and an offshore SUP crossing from Portugal to South America, the latter carried out in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven to collect acoustic data on marine mammal communication. Since the beginning of 2026 he has been using the Torqeedo Travel XS for training, support trips and SUP-based activities.
"The Travel XS delivers the right level of performance for our projects and fully supports our purpose," says Walther. "It is compact, easy to transport, and powerful enough for our SUP activities. At the same time, it allows us to move quietly and emission-free on the water -- an approach that fits our understanding of water sports: close to nature and with respect for our waters."
Wirschum works as a freshwater ecologist, studying lakes, rivers and other aquatic ecosystems in Bavaria and beyond. On Lake Starnberg he uses the Travel XS to reach areas that would otherwise be difficult to access.
"As a freshwater ecologist, I see water as more than just a place of recreation; it's also a place of work for me. To better understand and protect our local waters, I study numerous lakes, rivers, and other aquatic ecosystems in Bavaria and beyond. Therefore, electric mobility on the water was a logical next step for me," says Wirschum.
"It's lightweight, compact, and easy to steer, yet powerful enough for my work on the water. It effortlessly takes me to places that would otherwise be difficult to reach," he adds. "Water is a limited resource. That is why we should treat our waters with care and protect them to the best of our ability."
"Michael and Hendrik are a strong addition to our global Electric Explorers community because they show that electric propulsion is an enabler for a unique kind of water experience," says Jennifer Kuhle, Global Marketing Director at Torqeedo. "Michael inspires people to engage with environmental and climate protection by providing powerful nature experiences. Hendrik brings the perspective of freshwater ecology and research."
Torqeedo, founded in 2005 in Starnberg, Germany, develops and manufactures electric and hybrid propulsion systems from 0.7 to 200 kW for recreational applications and supplies complete systems to boat builders worldwide. Since April 2024 it has been part of the Yamaha Motor Group.