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Electric boating certainly isn’t new, but for a long time it has been 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).

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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BMW updates its best-selling EV with more range and power

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BMW updates its best-selling EV with more range and power

The 2026 BMW i4 is bringing a few key improvements, including a longer driving range and added power. Here’s what to expect.

The 2026 BMW i4 can drive further with added range

BMW is giving the people what they want. The German luxury brand upgraded its most popular EV lineup for the 2026 model year with new silicon carbide (SiC) inverters that unlock greater driving range while improving efficiency.

The 2026 i4 uses the same SiCs as the i5, which BMW said are not only more efficient but also more powerful and more heat-resistant than traditional semiconductors.

BMW said that regardless of what wheels and tires you choose, the 2026 i4 eDrive40 is now expected to have over 300 miles of range.

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The new 2026 BMW i4 eDrive40 with 18″ wheels is now estimated to have 333 miles of range, 15 miles more than the outgoing model. With 19″ wheels, BMW estimates the base i4 can drive 307 miles on a full charge, 12 miles more than the 2025 version.

2026-BMW-i4-range
The 2026 BMW i4 (Source: BMW)

Thanks to the new SICs, BMW’s range-topping i4 M60 gains a notable boost in power. The 2026 BMW i4 M60 now delivers up to 510 hp, 41 hp more than the outgoing model.

When My Modes Sport is activated, the i4 packs up to 592 hp, 57 hp more than the M50. The added power is good for a 0-to-60-mph sprint in just 3.6 seconds.

Other upgrades include a new Seal & Drive Tire Kit included as standard. BMW also added Drive Recorder to its Parking Assistant Professional Package and Glass Controls as an option across all i4 trims.

 2026 BMW i4 trim Estimated Blended Range Improvement Over 2025 Model
 Wheel Size 18” 19” 20” 18” 19” 20”
i4 eDrive40 333 mi 307 mi 15 mi 12 mi
i4 M60 278 mi 232 mi 11 mi 5 mi
2026 BMW i4 driving range compared to the 2025 model (Source: BMW)

The i4 eDrive40 and xDrive40 now offer black mirror caps and M Sport brakes if you choose the Shadowline package.

The 2026 BMW i4 eDrive40 starts at $57,900, while the 2026 xDrive40 Gran Coupe is priced from $62,300. The range-topping 2026 i4 M60 starts at $70,700.

With the 2026 model year arriving at dealerships, BMW is offering clearance prices on 2025 models. The 2025 BMW i4 is available to lease for as low as $399 per month.

Are you interested in test-driving BMW’s electric sedan? You can use our link to find BMW i4 models available in your area.

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Formula E’s new car is twice as powerful and has all-wheel drive, a first in racing

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Formula E's new car is twice as powerful and has all-wheel drive, a first in racing

Formula E revealed its new “GEN4” vehicle for next season, with a huge step up in performance – the series’ biggest advancement yet.

Formula E is the FIA’s biggest top-level electric racing series, having started all the way back in 2014 and hosting open-wheel all-electric races all around the world.

It started with somewhat modest performing vehicles, with around 250hp and a top speed of 140mph. The cars also had relatively small 28kWh batteries, which meant they couldn’t complete a full race – drivers would actually get out and swap into a new car with a fully charged battery halfway through, then continue the race.

In Gen 2, things got a little less silly, and batteries got better enough to allow for a full race distance. Power went up and the cars got faster around the track.

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Gen 3 was another improvement, with a more angular look and an innovative braking system which removed the front friction brakes entirely, instead using a front motor for more regenerative braking. Later on in the car’s lifecycle, that motor was activated for drive power, not just regen, and it became the only all-wheel drive open-wheel racecar. But, it could only be used in qualifying or specific circumstances within a race.

Now, with the Gen 4 car, Formula E is throwing caution to the wind and going all-time all-wheel drive, which no other open-wheel racing series does (it’s been tried a few times, but never stuck). There are other types of vehicles that race with all-wheel drive, but no other open-wheel single-seaters.

But that’s not all, there have also been a lot of spec improvements from the new vehicle.

Max power improves from 350kW to a whopping 600kW (805hp) – a near doubling. The Gen 3 cars were limited to 300kW in race mode, but the Gen 4 will have that boosted to 450kW (603hp). Max 600kW will be available in qualifying and in “attack mode,” a temporary boost that drivers can activate during the race.

With the higher performance, Formula E will offer new downforce packages. In the beginning, Formula E cars didn’t quite travel fast enough for downforce to matter a whole lot (especially since it also harms efficiency), but now that the series is getting more powerful, there will be more options available to optimize bodywork for certain racetracks.

All that fits into a package thats just 1,012kg (2,230lbs), and accelerates from 0-60 in 1.8 seconds. That’s about 30% faster than an F1 car can make the same sprint – though, admittedly, racecars only go 0-60 one time per race. But it’s still useful to zip out of a turn real quick.

All-wheel drive will also help corner exit speed, as it allows drivers to put the power down earlier without spinning out. Another new feature on the Gen 4 cars which will enhance driveability is the addition of anti-lock brakes and traction control – features that aren’t seen on most racecars (and, to be quite honest, I’m not a fan of this – makes the car too easy to drive, and numbs the racing).

More importantly, in initial testing, a Gen 4 car was clocked at 211mph, which is, uh, fast as hell:

Regenerative braking capacity is boosted to 700kW from the previous 600kW, so more energy will be recaptured throughout the race, enhancing efficiency. That might also translate into faster mid-race charging speeds, as Formula E finally got its mid-race charging plans working this last season with a feature it calls “pit boost.”

Formula E says that the goal of this car was to build “the world’s most sustainable race car”, and says that 100% of the materials used in its construction are recyclable, and at least 20% of the materials used in it are recycled content, which is double the amount of the outgoing generation.

The car will start racing next season, in late 2026. Formula E’s 12th season, the last season of the Gen 3 cars, starts on December 6 in São Paulo.

Electrek’s Take

It’s exciting to see the advancements in electric racing, and having such a huge jump in power from one generation to another is quite impressive. Remember, the first FE cars in 2014 had just 250hp, and now we’re here at 805hp – more than three times as much as where we started. For comparison, today’s F1 cars have around 1,000 horsepower.

I’m less enthused about the addition of driver’s aids. Traction control and anti-lock braking take a lot of the skill out of driving, make races less unpredictable, and restrict performance of the vehicles as compared to a perfectly-driven car (well, traction control does at least – because it cuts motor power when it detects wheel slippage).

These aids are great for road cars and unpracticed drivers, but for professional drivers seeking to extract every tiny bit of performance, and to do so in an exciting way that is entertaining to watch, I think these are a big step down. We hope they reconsider this, or add some sort of restriction on the use of the systems.

Nevertheless, it’s always exciting to see what these new cars can do after each upgrade, and this one seems like more of a doozy than ever. We’re looking forward to seeing it all at the end of 2026.


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Nissan is finally showing signs of a recovery, but it’s not out of the woods yet

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Nissan is finally showing signs of a recovery, but it's not out of the woods yet

Nissan is selling its global headquarters and trimming production as part of its recovery efforts. Although the Japanese automaker is starting to show signs of life, it still has a long way to go. Nissan is betting on new vehicles, including the next-gen LEAF, to help it turn things around.

Nissan is ramping up its recovery efforts

After reporting first-half earnings on Thursday, Nissan gave an update on its recovery efforts. As part of its comeback plan, “Re:Nissan,” the company aims to return to operating profitability and positive free cash flow by fiscal year 2026.

Despite a challenging first half, Nissan’s CEO Ivan Espinosa claimed that the company is “firmly on the path to recovery.”

Nissan’s sales revenue fell nearly 7% to 5.6 trillion yen ($36.5 billion) due to lower global vehicle sales, particularly in Japan. Espinosa said sales are improving in the US and China, with new vehicles launching, including the 2026 LEAF and the Roox kei car.

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In the first half of the fiscal year, Nissan reported an operating loss of 27.7 billion yen ($180.7 million), a stark contrast from the 32.09 billion operating profit it generated in the first half of fiscal 2024.

Nissan-recovery
The new Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)

However, the loss was significantly lower than the 180 billion yen ($1.1 billion) loss Nissan had forecast just a few months ago.

Nissan said it has identified 200 billion yen ($1.3 billion) in potential variable cost savings. It has already reduced fixed costs by over 80 billion yen ($500 million) and is on track to hit its goal of 250 billion yen ($1.6 billion) by fiscal 2026.

Nissan-lower-priced-LEAF
Nissan unveils the new LEAF in Japan (Source: Nissan)

As part of its recovery efforts, Nissan announced it’s selling and leasing back its global headquarters in Yokohama.

With a new 20-year leaseback agreement, Nissan said it will have no impact on employees and operations at the facility. It will use the funds to support its recovery efforts.

Nissan has now closed or consolidated six of the seven planned manufacturing plants. The company said it has significantly improved efficiency, and the engineering cost-per-hour improvement is now 12%, well on its way toward its 20% goal.

Nissan-recovery
2026 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek edition (Source: Nissan)

Espinosa added that the second half will “bring its own hurdles,” but Nissan is confident it will “deliver even stronger results.”

Nissan confirmed it’s still on track to generate an operating profit in fiscal 2025, excluding the impact of tariffs. The company expects to take a 275 billion yen ($1.8 billion) hit from US tariffs in the fiscal year.

According to reports, Nissan is also planning to cut production of its best-selling Rogue SUV in Japan due to a supply shortage from chipmaker Nexperia. Nissan plans to cut Rogue output by about 900 vehicles, starting next week, a source told Reuters.

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