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Electric boating certainly isn’t new, but for a long time it has remained outside the constraints of most recreational boaters’ wallets. Get ready though, as a new wave of innovation is seeing several new low-cost electric boats starting to enter the US market. Here’s a collection of some of the most interesting and affordable electric boats for rest of us.

Keep in mind that lower-cost electric boats usually mean lower power and shorter range.

You’re not going to get high power and elegantly designed electric boats such as those from companies like Candela and X Shore for just a couple month’s salary. Those luxury electric boats can reach well into the six figures, and their high-end design helps explain the high sticker price.

But for the rest of us, these more everyday electric boats can help scratch the itch for an affordable, quiet, and relaxing lake cruiser.

Veer V13

Veer is a recently launched low-cost boat company, with the Veer V13 serving as its debut model.

Veer’s parent company is Brunswick, which also owns Mercury Marine, a popular outboard engine maker. So it should come as no surprise that Veer’s boats are powered by Mercury drivetrains. While the base model has a combustion outboard, the electric version uses the newly-released Avator 7.5e electric outboard.

veer x13 electric boat

The 13-foot (4-meter) two-seater boat is manufactured from rotomolded polyethylene. That’s the same way kayaks are made, and is a cost-effective method to produce large and hollow plastic parts such as boat hulls. If you’ve ever wondered why a canoe costs three to four times the price of a kayak on average, there you go.

That rotomolding production helps the Veer V13 achieve a much lower sticker price than fiberglass or aluminum electric boats.

The base model comes with an entry-level price of US $11,995, including a trailer, though the electric version adds a US $2,100 premium to the total.

Since the Veer V13 is being marketed to new and first-time boat owners, it comes in a bundle with a galvanized trailer, making it easy to start boating right away.

veer x13 boat

TwinTroller eVenture bundle

TwinTroller is another manufacturer that offers small format boats, though this time with an interesting hull design. A pair of sponsons feature recessed electric motors that give the boat more maneuverability, as well as foot controls to allow the operator to keep his or her hands free. That’s perfect for a small fishing boat.

The hollow cavity under the sponsons floods with water surrounding the two electric motors, creating a form of suction that makes the boat even more stable. Two men can stand on the same gunnel together without the boat tipping over.

The base model of the TwinTroller X10 is priced at US $4,795, while a deluxe version costs US $5,495.

The TwinTroller eVenture bundle adds a more powerful rear electric motor for extra speed or longer run time. That bundle includes the company’s US $4,795 X10 boat as well as a US$2,599 ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motor outfitted with an extra short shaft to fit the X10.

It also includes the Spirit Battery Plus to power the outboard and a US $1,399 trailer, bringing the total price to US $8,293 (including a US $500 discount for buying it all together as a bundle).

Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132

Another option in the electric kayak category is the Sportsman WigWater ePDL+ 132. The kayak, which normally houses a pedal system that allows an angler to power the kayak with their feet while keeping their hands free for fishing, has been upgraded to offer an bicycle-style pedal assist system.

That system uses a small electric motor to power the pedal drive, letting the operator either increase their own leg power or rely purely on the electric motor for propulsion.

There’s a manual mode that switches off the motor entirely (and works with the battery removed as well). That’s useful for when the operator doesn’t want to burn any battery and prefers to do all the pedaling alone.

The kayak weighs 143 pounds (68kg) but can support a payload of up to 357 pounds (162kg). There are five power levels, and just like we’ve seen on other small electric boats, the power level drastically affects the run time of the battery.

At full power in level 5, the 36V 20Ah (720 Wh) lithium-ion battery lasts for around three hours. Dropping down to level 1 will sip away much more slowly at the battery, with the company claiming 46 hours of run time. You should probably bring snacks.

Priced at $5,999, the Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 is available through the company’s dealer network.

Go-Float Vortex

The Go-Float Vortex is a bit more of a recreational, afternoon-on-the-lake kind of boat. Think more along the lines of something you’d rent for a couple hours on vacation, not something you’d take out fishing with your buddies.

But at US $6,995, that low-tech design helps keep it mighty affordable.

The Vortex is powered by a single 12V DC electric motor and enjoys a top speed of 4 mph (6.4 km/h or 3.5 knots). Accessories include deck color choices, rod holders (I guess you can go fishing in it!), a water proof stereo, bimini top, and more.

It might not be the fastest electric boat in the pond, but it sure does look relaxing.

GoBoat 2.0

Like the Go-Float Vortex above, the GoBoat is on the minimal end of what could be considered an electric boat. But since it pushes even further out into the no-man’s land of electric boat minimalism, it also pushes the price further down too.

At just under $1,000 for the recently released GoBoat 2.0 (or closer to $700 for the kid’s size version), this is one of the cheapest electric boats on the market.

The inflatable e-boat is light enough to carry by hand when deflated, yet still packs a (small) punch with its 35 lb thrust 12V trolling motor designed by GoBoat. The company claims that it is the “lightest and most compact 35 lb thrust motor on the market.”

The motor comes with five speeds in the forward direction and two reverse speeds, though the top speed of 5 mph (8 km/h or 4.3 knots) isn’t going to win any water races.

Quietude 156

The Quietude 156 goes a different direction than the more affordable electric boats on this list, but that also makes it a bit more expensive too, at US $35,495.

The four-passenger fiberglass boat is 15.5 feet long (4.7 meters) and comes in a variety of color options for the hull. The boat features a 5 hp outboard motor that can hit a top speed of 6 mph (10 km/h or 5 knots), but cruises at 5 mph (8 km/h or 4.3 knots) for 20 miles (32 km or 17.2 nm).

Owners can customize the color of the deck, interior, and canopy materials to match their preferences.

Budsin 15′ Lightning Bug

According to the manufacturer, “the 15 foot Lightning Bug has been considered the jewel of electric boats ever since we started making them in 1987.”

The cockpit, which seats four adults, includes a single lever for controlling both the speed and the direction of the boat, making operation extremely easy.

At around US $27,000, the 15′ Lightning Bug features wooden decking and interiors. The hull is constructed using three layers of molded cedar and mahogany bonded with epoxy, and includes a mahogany transom.

It’s certainly an elegant looking boat, but it costs a bit more than some of the budget-level offerings on this list.

BOTE + Bixpy

If you don’t mind getting just slightly DIY, BOTE and Bixpy have teamed up to offer an interesting solution to combine their products into an electric boat.

BOTE is well known for its inflatable watercraft, from dock platforms to skiffs, kayaks, and SUPs. Bixpy, on the other hand, creates electric motors and waterproof batteries for electric kayaks, surfboards and other light watercraft. You can probably see where this is going.

The two partnered to create a kit that uses Bixpy’s gear to turn BOTE’s inflatable kayaks into electric boats. The kit makes use of the port on BOTE’s boats that is designed for a pedal drive. But instead of dropping a pedal-powered system into that scupper hole, Bixpy’s adapter drops in to support an electric motor.

The entire setup costs just north of $4,000 and creates an electric boat that can fit into a backpack.

Electracraft 15LS

The Electracraft 15LS is a six-seater fiberglass boat with a molded interior, making it the highest capacity electric boat on this list so far. Though at US $42,000, it’s also the most expensive. If you want to take five friends out with you, though, this is the electric boat to do it in.

The boat comes with upholstered interior, fiberglass dining table with cupholders, and a center helm.

It runs on a 48V system using a set of four 12V marine batteries. The boat also includes an automatic bilge pump, though many of the other nicer accessories are more expensive add-ons.

AQUOS Backpack Series

If you really want to keep things affordable, the cheapest option on this list so far is the AQUOS 7.5-ft Backpack Series inflatable electric boat.

The inflatable pontoons help this boat go from in a bag to on the water in just a few minutes.

There’s only seating for one, but you probably weren’t expecting too much out of this vessel.

It may be spartan, but it does include a fairly nice looking swivel seat and a small 20 lb thrust trolling motor! Not bad for just $795!

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Trump appoints two Commerce officials to oversee U.S. Steel under ‘golden share’ agreement

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Trump appoints two Commerce officials to oversee U.S. Steel under 'golden share' agreement

U.S. President Donald Trump walks as workers react at U.S. Steel Corporation–Irvin Works in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 30, 2025.

Leah Millis | Reuters

President Donald Trump has appointed two Department of Commerce officials to oversee U.S. Steel under the golden share agreement reached with Japan’s Nippon, according to a letter posted Monday in the Federal Register.

Trump approved U.S. Steel’s controversial acquisition by Nippon in June after securing veto rights over key business decisions under a golden share arrangement. U.S. Steel stopped trading on the New York Stock Exchange that same month after the acquisition was completed.

Trump holds the veto powers covered by the golden share as U.S. president, but he can also designate someone else to wield those authorities as his representative if he wants. The president appointed William Kimmitt, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, as his designee in a letter to U.S. Steel.

“I, President Donald J. Trump, hold the Class G Preferred Stock (Golden Share) in U.S. Steel, pursuant to the National Security Agreement (Agreement) between the United States Government, Nippon Steel Corporation, and U.S. Steel,” Trump said in a Nov. 20 letter to U.S. Steel executive Scot Duncan.

“The Golden Share provides the President with the ability to oversee U.S. Steel’s activities and to ensure the company continues operating its United States-based production facilities,” Trump said.

The golden share allows Trump or his designee to veto decisions that include changing U.S. Steel’s name, moving its headquarters from Pittsburgh, relocating the company outside the U.S., or closing production facilities.

Trump also appointed David Shapiro, a chief counsel at Commerce, as a director on U.S. Steel’s board representing the U.S. government, according to the letter.

The golden share goes to future U.S. presidents or their designee after Trump leaves office.

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All-solid-state EV batteries hit a huge milestone in China, promising to double range

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All-solid-state EV batteries hit a huge milestone in China, promising to double range

China’s first all-solid-state production line is up and running. With the equipment in place, GAC Group becomes the first automaker ready to mass-produce the “holy grail” of EV batteries, promising to double range and cut charging time.

China advances all-solid-state EV batteries

It’s no secret by now that China is dominating the global battery market. CATL and BYD alone accounted for over 50% of global EV battery usage through September.

To stay ahead, Chinese automakers and tech leaders are advancing new battery technologies, including all-solid-state batteries.

GAC Group announced over the weekend that it has officially begun producing all-solid-state EV batteries, claiming to be the first in the industry to meet the conditions for mass production.

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The milestone is significant, given that mass production is one of the biggest hurdles holding all-solid-state batteries from hitting the market.

Not only does it require new equipment, but all-solid-state batteries also use a solid electrolyte, which can be costly. GAC Group uses a dry process that combines slurry preparation, coating, and rolling into a single step, saving time and resources.

All-solid-state-EV-batteries-China-milestone
Aion UT Super (Source: GAC Group)

The production line is already producing EV batteries above 60 Ah. Experts say 60 Ah is needed to use in vehicles. Up until now, most have been around 20-40 Ah.

According to Qi Hongzhong, GAC’s R&D boss, the company plans to begin small-batch vehicle testing by 2026, with mass production scheduled between 2027 and 2030.

All-solid-state-EV-batteries-China-milestone
(Source: GAC Group)

The new batteries are expected to provide over 1,000 km (621 miles) driving range, more than double the current 500 km (310 miles).

China established the All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform last year, which unites nearly all battery makers and automakers to bring the new battery tech into mass production.

SAIC Motor also announced over the weekend that it has completed the main production line for its all-solid-state batteries. BYD and CATL aim to begin producing all-solid-state batteries by 2027, with mass production closer toward the end of the decade.

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Tesla announces expected FSD approval date in Europe, regulators deny

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Tesla announces expected FSD approval date in Europe, regulators deny

For the first time in what feels like forever, Tesla has put a hard date on the arrival of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in Europe. The automaker confirmed that the Dutch vehicle authority (RDW) has committed to granting national approval for the system in February 2026, which is just a few months away.

Update: RDW has denied that it has told Tesla it plans to grant approval in February.

This is a massive development for European Tesla owners who have been stuck with a severely neutered version of Autopilot for years due to restrictive regulations.

Tesla shared the update via its ‘Tesla Europe & Middle East’ account on X, stating that the RDW has “committed to granting Netherlands National approval” next February.

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Rather than waiting for the slow-moving wheels of the entire European Union to turn simultaneously, Tesla is using a “national exemption” route. Once the Netherlands grants this approval, other EU member states can choose to recognize that exemption immediately, effectively creating a domino effect for an EU-wide rollout.

Tesla explained the regulatory hurdle they’ve been facing:

“Some of these regulations are outdated and rule-based, making FSD illegal in its current form. Modifying FSD to make it fully rule-compliant would make it unsafe and unusable in many cases.”

Instead of watering down the software, Tesla is seeking exemptions rule-by-rule. The company notes it has already driven over 1 million kilometers in internal testing across 17 European countries to prove the system’s safety to regulators. However, Tesla didn’t share disengagement data from these 1 million kms.

Tesla has been known to make misleading claims that FSD is safer than humans by releasing misleading crash data that relies on its own crash reporting from customer vehicles, while using police data for the broader comparison fleet, on top of road biases.

Furthermore, even with these flaws, it doesn’t prove that FSD is safer than humans, but that FSD plus humans is safer than just humans, as FSD still requires driver attention at all times. Drivers prevent an unknown number of accidents with the driver assistance system.

Update: RDW responded to Tesla’s announcement with a different view of the situation. The regulator claimed that it has only come up with a schedule for Tesla to be able to demonstrate FSD in February, and hasn’t committed to approving it.

 We do not share details about ongoing applications from manufacturers, as this concerns commercially sensitive information. However, we can state that the RDW and Tesla have established a schedule, according to which Tesla is expected to demonstrate in February 2026 that FSD Supervised meets the required standards. Both RDW and Tesla are aware of the efforts needed to reach a decision on this matter in February. Whether this timeline will be met is yet to be determined in the coming period. For the RDW, (road) safety is paramount. 

Electrek’s Take

While this is the most serious announcement from Tesla about FSD in Europe, we heard timelines in the past that didn’t pan out.

In early 2022, Musk said that Tesla would launch FSD in Europe that summer. It clearly didn’t happen.

In late 2024, Tesla said it should happen in early 2025, and that didn’t happen either.

Now, if RDW actually said that, it would give a lot more weight to this new timeline.

It should make the few Tesla owners in Europe who bought FSD on HW4 cars happy, but just like what happened in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, it is also likely to create a situation where the launch confirms that Tesla is not going to deliver its promises to the millions of HW3 owners.

Either way, I don’t think FSD saves Tesla’s freefalling sales in Europe.

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