The future of electric boats

© Francisco Blanco | Dreamstime.com

By Mike Scott

The recreational electric boat market continues to grow nationally, statewide and in Oakland County. Yet despite the prevalence of data pointing to increasing demand, some boaters are unlikely to turn away from traditional gas-powered motors in the near future.

Pontoon enthusiasts however, are more likely to use electric boats because they use less battery power and provide other environmental benefits. In general, the interest level among all boaters in EV varies based on their preferred usage and boating habits.

Nicki Polan, executive director for the Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA) believes the electrification of boats will become more and more popular across the state because of lifestyle preferences and continuous technology improvements.

Polan said battery life and other infrastructure needed to support electric boats is expanding, much like the infrastructure for electric automobiles. While she is confident that as has been the case in the automotive sector, Polan believes slow and steady growth in EV boats is a good thing to allow the time needed to increase the number of charging stations. After all, if consumer demand outpaces the supporting infrastructure, the number of unhappy users could force public opinion against recreational EV boats, she said.

“I think our members are as intrigued as the consumers to see how popular electric boats will be in the future,” Polan said via email. “Electric motors for boats have been around for a long time as there are many lakes in Michigan which allow only electric boats due to their smaller size.”

That’s also the experience of Alicia Faille, operations and marketing manager at Elk Rapids Marina in northern Michigan. She has found a growing demand for the option for boaters not just from their community but those from southeastern Michigan who have vacation properties up north and primary homes on lakes in and around Oakland County.

In fact, EV boats are ideally for day boaters who live on a manmade lake, many of which live in southeastern Michigan or other suburban areas adjacent to a subdivision that was built around that manmade lake. Many such lakes do not allow gas-powered outboard motors, and/or have significant noise restrictions.

“It’s a great way for these boaters to get around if they’re going out on the lake at night or on the weekends or spend time fishing,” Faille said. “You hear virtually nothing and (as a boater) you enjoy cleaner air. That’s a big thing for smaller lakes that don’t allow outboard motors.

Many lakefront neighborhoods don’t want the noise and having an EV boat can be a way to still get a larger boat without having to (address) a noise ordinance. That’s a big motivation for many of Elk Rapids Marina’s customers.

“There’s always a desire to be courteous on the waterways and to your neighbors, and EVs really can do that,” Faille said.

There are several lakes in Oakland County where it is unlawful to operate a boat powered by a traditional motor, but where electric motors are allowed. That list includes Bogie Lake and Lake Ona in White Lake Township; Cross Lake and Darb Lake in West Bloomfield; Fish Lake in Rose Township; Manitou Lake and Pine Lake in Oxford; Harvey Lake in Highland Township; Heron Lake in Groveland Township; Indianwood Lake and Mill Lake in Orion Township; Lake Angela in Lyon Township; Mitchell Lake in Holly Township; Perry Lake and Seymour Lake in Brandon Township; and Round Lake in Independence Township, according to a local watercraft controls page on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources websit. Several other Oakland County lakes ban use of any motorboat, which may include electric boats.

The advancements in electrification also allow for the market to provide electric boats that are fully capable of handling any lake in Michigan. This includes both inland lakes and the Great Lakes, provided there isn’t unusually dangerous inclement weather, Polan said.

There are many reasons for consumers to consider EV boats besides local ordinances and laws, including lower noise, clean energy, less maintenance and exhaust-free benefits. The maintenance part is particularly helpful thanks to direct-drive technology, causing the electric motor to have fewer moving parts, reducing the time and cost of regular maintenance, Polan said.

Boaters with an interest in EV boats are often highly sensitive to keeping lake waters clean, Faille said. They are attracted to the idea because of the very low amount of emissions, as well as the limited maintenance that EV boats require. Faille said many EV boats require little more than added coolant during the winter with limited battery maintenance.

“The biggest maintenance you may have is software updates,” Faille said. “These boats are made very well and regular software updates keep things running.” She said the standard outboard motor may need an oil change every 50 to 100 miles of use, whereas electric batteries require none.

There’s also a cost savings on gas. Faille estimates that most EV boats carried by Elk Rapids Marine require just 10 percent of the charging time that would be spent on a full tank of gas for outboard motors.

“That’s a big benefit as well,” she said. “You don’t need to worry about getting gas at a gas shack. It saves you time and money.”

Of course, the initial investment on an EV boat is much more expensive, often in the tens of thousands of dollars. Faille said the cost of EV boats has fallen by 50-75 percent in some cases, estimating that a 26-foot EV boat that cost $350,000 a few years ago may cost around $200,000 today. Many of the marina’s 21-foot EV boats are in the $150,000 range.

“That’s about the cost of many new, higher-end pontoon boats,” Faille said. “It’s still a (larger) investment up front but the price points are coming down.”

Given the lack of maintenance needed, EV boats can save residential owners money after many years, Faille said, However, the value of a boat purchase can vary based on how often the boat is used. Faille suggested that potential buyers “ do the math” to determine how long of a time period it might take them to recoup the higher cost of an electric boat based on savings attributed to lower maintenance and fuel costs.

Part of the consideration of whether to purchase an EV boat is based on how people use their boats and the expectations they have of it. That’s a question that Faille and her colleagues have with their customers. EV boats are not as suited yet for long boat trips, but are perfect for day, evening and weekend users on either their own lake or a nearby lake they can tow it to.

“They are convenient too,” Faille said. “You can plug into anywhere that has shared power.” The amount of time for an EV boat battery to be fully charged varies, but most will gain a full charge if plugged in for several hours overnight.

Most marinas already have power running to their docks in order to charge boat batteries, run lights and AC, and to use the other electric powered features on their customers’ boats, Polan said.

Some consumers question whether the performance of EV boats is comparable to traditional outboard motorboats. Most EV boats top out at speeds of around 32 mph, Faille said. As boaters throttle up and down, the battery range and percentage changes as well. Faille claims that many consumers are surprised about the quality of performance that EVs have. “As long as people can still feel the power and security of the boat, they come around to (liking the idea) of an EV,” Faille said.

While that might be the sentiment among some consumers, Club Royale’s Rob Davis believes that some boaters remain concerned about the limitations of recreational EV boats for good reason. The president and owner of the Waterford-based boat dealer said that EV powerboats are impractical on most Oakland County lakes because of the amount of electricity they burn and therefore require, especially when pulling water skiers or wakeboarders.

“A boat plowing through the water has more load than a car going uphill all the time,” Davis said. “(The ability to) plane a boat takes a lot of energy and the EV boats burn a lot of their (batteries) on a regular day on the lake.”

Part of the issue is that most lakes don’t have easy access electric power sources that can quickly replenish the power needed to “refuel” a powerboat’s EV battery, making for a short time on the water. In Davis’ experience, one hour of wakeboarding burns so much energy on a standard EV boat that it may need to charge for 48 consecutive hours at 220 volts before at full power.

“That means you can’t even use your boat every other day in the middle of the summer. I don’t know of many lakes around here that have 440-volt power sources, and even then it’s a long charge time,” Davis said. That amount of boat time available per charge will improve, but perhaps not fast enough for some boaters who require significant power.

Even if a single charge lasts longer, it can be a difficult as of boaters to “come in every couple of hours to get a charge,” Davis said.

While the usage per charge is one factor in an EV boat purchase, so is the EV battery life span. Today’s EV batteries last longer, often well over a decade on average with regular use before limited dips in performance such as a shorter period of timing needed before charging.

The EV boating industry is continually making improvements to the battery technology, Faille said. As a result, boaters may soon be able to lease EV batteries or have easy replacements without having to replace the full boat. However, the uncertainty of what condition an EV battery will be in five to 10 years from now is uncertain.

“When you’re making that big of an investment (in purchasing an EV), you don’t want to have to spend tens of thousands of dollars or more on battery maintenance or a new (battery),” she said.

The 2025 U.S Electric Boats Market Report produced by Grand View Research indicates that the range, performance, and charging capabilities of electric boats vary but are improving over time. There are regular innovations in solar charging systems and hybrid propulsion models.

“As these trends continue to evolve, the electric boats market in the U.S. is expected to experience sustained growth, driven by a combination of regulatory support, shifting consumer preferences, and ongoing advancements in clean marine technology The growing popularity of recreational boating activities across the country also plays a key role in driving market demand, as leisure users seek quieter, low-maintenance, and cost-effective solutions that electric boats offer over their gas-powered counterparts,” the report added.

These and other factors are why recreational EV boats are generally a more realistic option for pontoon boaters who require little energy to go for a casual ride on inland lakes, Davis said. That is why it is important for sales professionals to discuss the boating interests with their clients in detail. Customers are asked about how and when they plan to use the boat, how often they use it, and more. By understanding the goals of the boaters, members of Davis’ team can better recommend options.

Club Royale sells multiple EV pontoons most months. Davis said there is little interest in EV (power) boats. Pontoon boaters, however, are usually easy to identify and are often more interested in considering an electric version.

“With pontoons, it really doesn’t matter how much power you use because t(here’s no need to plane) the boat,” Davis said, adding that most EV pontoons only require 10-50 horsepower.

Those EV pontoons are particularly useful for residents living on lakes that restrict boat usage to non-gas motors, which is also common in Oakland County. That’s where Davis sees the current and future demand for EV boats.

“Then you have a few customers who do want to be environmentally conscious even on a lake that does allow gas-powered boats,” Davis said. “But the biggest demand comes from people who aren’t into (powerboating) and just want to go for casual rides.”

Wonderland Marine Service Manager Patrick Jett agrees. He said more customers are asking about the viability of electric battery boats over the last year, and that additional options are on the market from Yamaha and other manufacturers. But few powerboaters show an interest.

“They are worried about performance but generally don’t even consider the EVs,” Jett said. Yet for pontoon boat enthusiasts, electric motors are becoming more capable of handling the load. More EVs have enough horsepower to move pontoon boats up to 10-12 mph. Just a couple of years ago, the maximum speed EVs could support was around two mph, Jett said.

“That’s a pretty big shift,” Jett said. “The EVs are much more powerful now.”

Jett explained that recreational power boats previously used the types of batteries commonly seen in golf carts that were acidic, heavy and less efficient. Now all EV-powered boats use lithium batteries that offer a longer life span and charging capability. Reliability has improved as well. Wonderland Marine locations in Waterford, Howell and Pinckney have increased the number of EV pontoon boats they sell as a result.

“The (old batteries) didn’t provide much longevity,” Jett said. “Now (EV boat) manufacturers are producing battery packs that provide more convenience and longer (periods of) charging.”

Polan believes the “green” and sustainable nature of EV boats is a main reason for the growing interest in them. There is no grease, fuel or lubricants involved with electric boats, which makes it easier for many new boaters who may not have the experience of winterizing a boat to prepare their boat for the summer.

Most importantly for some customers, EVs are exhaust-free. There are no fuel or exhaust smells, allowing boaters, and those around them, to enjoy cleaner air.

“Our industry is embracing sustainability recognizing the importance of protecting our water and fishing resources,” Polan said. “MBIA is actively engaging our members and boaters to participate in MRC’s shrink-wrap recycling program.”

MBIA along with the MDNR and MI Sea Grant champion the Michigan Clean Marina Program with 104 marinas certified to-date. MBIA is finishing a three-year grant to help boaters understand their role in stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species, Polan said. Additionally, the association, along with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy have partnered on a grant application to create a Great Lakes Fiberglass Recycling program to address abandoned boats.

The growth of the American electric boats market is being significantly influenced by a combination of environmental awareness, technological advancements, and supportive government policies, according to the 2025 U.S Electric Boats Market Report. The national market size for the EV boat market, both residential and commercials, is nearly $2.5 billion, with particular growth in pontoon boats, small fishing boats and inland watercraft for lakes and rivers.

The report states that increasing concerns over carbon emissions and the harmful environmental impact of traditional fuel-powered boats have led to a rising demand for cleaner and more sustainable alternatives, supporting the experiences of Polan and Faille.

`“As consumers and businesses alike become more eco-conscious, electric boats are being embraced as an efficient and environmentally friendly mode of water transportation. Additionally, various federal and state-level incentives, including tax benefits and subsidies for electric vehicle adoption, are making it more economically feasible for manufacturers and buyers to invest in electric propulsion systems,” the report states.

Faille said that more consumers are interested in smart boat features as well, which include automated navigation and connectivity, which align well with the capabilities of electric propulsion systems.

There certainly is a market for EV recreational boats in Michigan. The Great Lakes State ranked third in the nation with $1.6 billion in recreational powerboat sales in 2023, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Associatio. That figure was behind only Florida and Texas. Michigan residents have registered more than one million residential boats with the state, making it one of the top states for boating enthusiasts in the country, according to a report commissioned by online boat classified and sales distribution website Getmyboat.com.

The MBIA last fielded a study about consumer electric boats in 2022 with 39 percent reporting they were exclusively considering an electric boat for their next purchase. One-third of respondents stated they were actively looking for both gas and electric boats, and just 27 percent said they were exclusively searching for a gas-powered boat.

Jett believes demand for EV pontoon boats will continue to increase because he has seen the trend manifest for more than a year. He wonders whether a slower economy might adversely impact the market and questions the number of boaters who would consider an EV option.

There will be (customers) for EV boats but it depends where you take or dock your boat,” Jett says. “A lot of our customers focus on performance and that’s going to be a (determining) factor for many.”

Faille said Elk Rapids Marina believes that growth in EV recreational boats will continue because more manufacturers are making EV boats to address consumer demand. Additionally, there is more education about these boats online and anywhere consumers need to conduct their research. She said professionals art Elk Rapids Marina and other boat dealers around the state are committed to spreading the word about recreational EV boat benefits, so consumers understand the choices they have.

“Michigan has some of the cleanest lakes around and we want to keep it that way,” Faille said. “EVs can be a perfect option for many boaters in the state. It’s not for everyone but for those who want one, they are often pretty committed to “(sustainability).” ­ ­­­­