Six teams running ePropulsion systems at the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge produced results ranging from a historic podium finish to open-water trials of a 16-metre electric yacht. The event ran 8–11 July at the Yacht Club de Monaco, drawing 54 teams from 21 nationalities across electric, hydrogen, solar and hybrid marine technology categories.
The standout result came from Yushui Flight, whose Alaqua Y-3 electric intelligent hydrofoil claimed third place in the SeaLab Class. Developed in Shenzhen, the battery-electric Alaqua Y-3 pairs hydrofoil technology with an intelligent control system designed to reduce drag, improve stability and increase range. The result made Yushui Flight the first Chinese team to reach the podium at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
The vessel's 40 kW propulsion system delivers a top speed of 30 knots and requires just 20 kW to achieve 18 knots.
In the Energy Class, InnoBoat Bizkaia from the University of the Basque Country returned with a student-designed vessel powered by an ePropulsion Navy 6.0 Evo electric outboard. The boat's route-planning system used real-time Copernicus Marine data to optimise the course according to currents, while an AI-based conversational assistant provided the pilot with operational and energy-management information.
Also competing in the Energy Class, the Hainan University team used the event to develop and test its work in smart marine technology and sustainable propulsion under real-world conditions.
The Wia 520 HardTop took a different path, participating in the Open Sea Xperience, where commercially available and near-market vessels are tested for range, reliability and operational performance. At 16 metres, the yacht is powered by two ePropulsion I-40 electric inboard motors delivering a combined 80 kW, paired with a 160 kWh battery bank. It was developed in collaboration with ePropulsion.
"Monaco brings together the talent, technology and ambition needed to accelerate the transition to cleaner boating," said Danny Tao, CEO of ePropulsion. "The achievements of InnoBoat Bizkaia, Hainan University and Yushui Flight demonstrate the extraordinary potential of the next generation of marine innovators, while the Wia 520 shows that advanced electric propulsion is already capable of powering larger cruising yachts. We are particularly proud to have supported Yushui Flight in achieving this historic first podium finish for a Chinese team."
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has brought together more than 6,500 students and around 50 universities since it was established in 2014.
