From his Paris workshop in the late 19th century, Gustave Trouvé gave the world inventions as diverse as wearable headlights, medical devices, and in 1881, the first-ever outboard motor (Daimler pioneering petrol-powered boats shortly after.) His electric-powered boat Le Téléphone was a quiet revolution, cruising the Seine at a time when steam and sail still dominated. More than 140 years later, his spirit of ingenuity lives on through the Gustave Trouvé Awards for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating — known to the boating community as The Gussies.
These are the only international awards dedicated solely to electric boats. Since their launch in 2020, they have grown into a global showcase of design, innovation, and environmental progress. Last year, more than 150 boats were nominated spanning 25 different countries.
Winners of The 2024 Gustave Trouvé Awards
Electric Boats Up to 8m / 26ft
- Production Boat: Sun Concept EVO 7.0 Cruise by Sun Concept, Portugal
- Concept/In Development Boat: ENVGO NV1 by ENVGO, Canada
ENVGO Launches All-Electric NV1 Hydrofoil Craft: A New Era in Eco-Friendly Boating
Electric Boats Over 8m / 26ft (presented by Aqua superPower)
- Production Boat: Sialia 45 Sport by Sialia Yachts, Poland
- Concept/In Development Boat: Optima e14 by Optima Electric Yachts, UK
Electric Sailboat (presented by Oceanvolt)
- Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 by Fountaine Pajot, France
Retrofitted / Customised / DIY Electric Boat (presented by BlueNav)
- Vital Spark Paul Sparrow V3 by PlusZero / Paul Sparrow, UK
Electric Workboat
- EF12 Workboat by Artemis Technologies, UK
Sweden Takes Bold Step Towards Green Maritime Future with Artemis’ Electric Pilot Boat
Electric Commercial Passenger Vessels
- In Operation: hyke Shuttle 0001 by hyke, Norway
- In Development: Wada Hoppah 58 by Wada Hoppah, USA
Nominations open for 2025
Nominations are now open for 2025. For 2025, new categories broaden the field even further, including a division for electric personal watercraft and water toys. This year’s Gussies already highlight the diversity of electric propulsion — from sub-8m runabouts to futuristic superyacht-scale catamarans. The first five nominees reflect a wide spread of innovation across Europe:
Category: Production Electric Boats: Up to 8m
NERO 645 Voltara – Germany
German builder NERO Yachts, led by Moritz Pfaller, has put forward the 645 Voltara, a compact electric cruiser that sets out to “redefine elegance.” Every line of the hull and deck has been engineered to give this sub-8-metre yacht a presence well beyond its size. With its strong design language and engineering focus, the Voltara highlights how the small-boat category is pushing electric propulsion into new territory — stylish, sophisticated, and practical for everyday use.
Solar Boat SRE – France
SeaZen’s Solar Boat SRE is fully solar-powered, silent on the water, and designed for relaxed days afloat. Guests can stretch out on the open bow with feet in the water or retreat under the shade canopy for a glass of champagne. Practicality has also been considered, with easy-clean decking for use in water-scarce regions. Based on the Côte d’Azur, the SRE is a proven platform for everyday electric boating.
Category: Personal Watercraft, e-Foils, e-Boards, Scooters & Water Toys
Roxen PWC – Sweden
Sweden’s Roxen Innovations brings a disruptive idea to the personal watercraft world: the Roxen PWC is an ultra-light electric jetski that weighs just 57kg and runs on a swappable battery. It has a top speed of 30 knots and a run-time of 1.5 hours. Designed and built entirely in Linköping, every part of the system — from the modular battery to the companion smartphone app — has been engineered in-house.
Category: Concept / Development Electric Boats: Over 8m
CROOZE EZ 28 – Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s CROOZE Yachts has entered the EZ 28, a development-stage concept designed as a highly customisable platform for leisure boating. Its evergreen styling and flexible deck plan allow six distinct outdoor configurations, from social cruising to family days out. High-end features include a built-in infotainment system, premium sound, and full smartphone connectivity. Range management, live battery data, and over-the-air software updates are all integrated. CROOZE describes it as “not just a boat, but an innovative electric experience,” reflecting the way electric technology is reshaping expectations of design and usability.
Category: Electric Sailboats
MODX 70 – France
The MODX 70 catamaran is the result of a decade of research by Ocean Developpement in France. At 70 feet, it is one of the largest yachts ever nominated for the Gussies and demonstrates a serious commitment to sustainability in big-boat design. The MODX employs a fully retractable and automated Aeroforce wing propulsion system alongside its all-electric drive. Onboard systems are eco-designed for autonomy at sea, while the interior is fully customisable to meet owner preferences. Combining performance, environmental responsibility, and luxury, the MODX 70 aims to set a new benchmark for large cruising multihulls.
Each candidate offers a glimpse into how boatbuilders are approaching the challenges of design, autonomy, and performance in the age of electrification.
How the awards work
The Gussies are determined through a mix of industry and public voting. A panel of international judges — drawn from past winners, electric boat associations, and events such as Foiling Week and the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge — selects the finalists. Public voting then combines with the panel’s scores to determine the winners, with a weighted system (75% panel, 25% public in 2025) ensuring a balance between expert assessment and community support.
Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2025: Engineering change at sea
Nominations remain open until 19 October 2025, with finalists announced later in the month. Public voting begins on 27 October, and the winners will be revealed on 19 November.
