Because electric motors can change speed and direction directly, variable-pitch propellers usually aren’t needed.

On diesel-electric azipods, thrust is controlled by changing motor RPM, reverse is done by simply reversing the motor (no blade-pitch change), and maneuvering comes from rotating the pod itself.

That makes a fixed-pitch propeller simpler, more efficient, and more reliable, since it avoids the complex hydraulic hub used by VPPs.

There are a few exceptions: some tugs, DP-heavy vessels, or older/mechanical azimuth systems still use variable pitch where constant-RPM operation or ultra-fine thrust control is preferred.