Sailing: The Netherlands leads in electric shipyards and battery-powered boats

We are the world leader in naval construction, but not yet in electric boats. According to Europe’s Electric Boat Market in Numbers: the 2026 report prepared by Nauteria, the Netherlands leads the way with 17 shipyards launching 46 models of electric boats. Austria also surpasses us in terms of the number of models, having 28 compared to Italy’s 23. In Amsterdam, millions of tourists are transported across the canals exclusively by electric boats; in Austria, new lake navigation licenses have required electric boats for years. When regulations drive the market, business owners respond accordingly.

In Europe, there are 256 electric and hybrid models produced by 126 verified manufacturers in 25 countries.

By scanning the database, the Netherlands builds more electric boats than any other country in the world: nearly one out of five electric boats on the European market is Dutch. This advantage is evident when visiting Amsterdam, where millions of tourists are transported with zero emissions thanks to the requirement for electric engines.

This is not the case in Venice, where boats navigate the canals using internal combustion engines, and only the most recent vaporettos are hybrid, with their batteries powered by internal combustion engines.

According to the report’s authors, it is the culture of the sloep that plays a role: a small, open boat often with seats along the perimeter, designed for slow and relaxed sailing. Hence, electric. But Italy also has a significant role in the success of battery-powered boats in the canals. It is the Italian company Transfluid, which acquired the Dutch firm BellMarine in 2018—one of the key players in the energy transition for watercraft.

Austrian lakes embrace electric boats, Poland rises

Austria has fewer shipyards dedicated to electric boats than Italy—7 compared to 11 in our country—but it leads in the number of electric boat models: 28 versus 25. This is thanks to a strong ecological culture that has restricted traditional motorized boats in its lakes.

In Japan, 81 million invested in electric boats, low-emission vessels, and charging stations in ports

We at Vaielettrico visited the Frauscher shipyard, which has built numerous electric boats, yachts, and catamarans. These models are also available for purchase in Italian lakes thanks to a partnership with the Feltrinelli shipyard.

Poland is also doing well, with eight shipyards producing 23 electric models. We recently boarded one of them at the Venice Boat Show. Interestingly, a Polish company is a pioneer in electric boat tours in Naples. In short, Poland views Italy as a market for its boats and more. France has 11 shipyards listed in the report, just like Italy, but as we know, electric boats are widely used there since many cities have invested in river transportation.

Is it Italy? Many engine manufacturers

According to the report, Italy is in a good position but could do more. There are plenty of electric outboard motor manufacturers, some at almost artisanal levels, but compared to Nordic countries, it lacks brands like Candela, which are well-known worldwide for their foil-equipped boats.

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