Villa d’Este Style Electric Yachting
The event dedicated to electric boats on Lake Como is back
Villa d’Este, the iconic 5-star luxury hotel on Lake Como and part of Villa d’Este La Collezione, is once again turning the spotlight on the future of mobility by hosting the sixth
edition of Villa d’Este Style Electric Yachting. The event, scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2026, is establishing itself as the premier observatory and benchmark in Italy for the evolution of electric technology applied to sustainable navigation.
Six years after its debut, the event reflects the transition of electric boating from an experimental phase to a stage of concrete and informed maturity. Villa d’Este is not only the exceptional setting for this gathering but also its active promoter: the hotel showcases the current state of zero-emission boating through the daily operation of its own electric fleet, steering the conversation toward new standards of quality and environmental responsibility. In this unique setting, located just a short walk from “Alessandro Volta’s Como,” historical memory
merges with technological innovation to redefine the concept of elegance on the water.
The event marks a renewed partnership with the Alessandro Volta Foundation, which this year is organizing numerous events to commemorate the bicentennial of the inventor of the first electric generator, and with Cantiere Ernesto Riva, featuring its ER evolution and E-Next Tender vessels. Other prestigious international shipyards will participate in the roundtable, showcasing the state-of-the-art in electric boating and offering an exclusive opportunity to test cutting-edge solutions in a real-world setting, such as Frauscher and Porsche with the 790 Spectre, a symbol of the dialogue between luxury automotive and marine industries. The dock will also host the Ecolux 850 by Ecoline Marine, the Seal model by Vita, and the historic creations of Cantiere Matteri, featuring the Lucia Eta beta3000 and the Dinghy Strupolo models, alongside ABC Boat with the Candela 7 model. Rounding out the technological ecosystem will be Taiga electric jet skis and Aqua superPower’s fast-charging infrastructure, key elements
for the development of an integrated and silent navigation network.
Driving the sector’s evolution is the ongoing contribution of the academic community, which actively participates in the discussion by bringing the results of cutting-edge research to the table. The Politecnico di Milano will present the Polimi Energy Boat Team’s project through a dynamic prototype in operation, followed by the University of Bologna with the Argonauts UniBo Team. The Politecnico di Torino will showcase the Polito H2Fly Team’s project, while the University of Trieste will be represented by Professors Vittorio Bucci and Giorgio Sulligoi for the presentation of its project.
“Villa d’Este Style Electric Yachting is one of Villa d’Este’s flagship events, created to foster a meaningful dialogue between technological research, the marine industry, and the local community,” emphasizes Davide Bertilaccio, CEO of Villa d’Este S.p.A. “Through collaboration between universities, designers, and shipyards, Villa d’Este reaffirms its commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative solutions at both the local and international levels—solutions capable of facilitating the transition from experimental innovation to the actual development of electric boating and tourism that is increasingly mindful of the environment.”
At the conclusion of the event, in support of research, innovation, and the dedication of university students and faculty, a jury composed of leading experts from various fields will award a prize to the project deemed most deserving—an honor intended to highlight the value of university-level study and its practical application.
The Event Schedule
Sunday, May 10
• 9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Tech Talks and an institutional roundtable discussion focused on dialogue between institutions, industry, and academia.
• 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Technical session with access to prototypes and tours of
the boats at the dock.
• 1:30–3:00 p.m.: Lunch at the Grill Restaurant at Villa d’Este
• 3:00–5:00 p.m.: Operational demonstrations and test sessions on the water.
• 5:00–6:00 p.m.: The iconic parade at the Voltiano Temple, a symbolic tribute by
the electric boating community to the legacy of Alessandro Volta, open exclusively to boat owners.
• 6:00 p.m.: Closing cocktail reception and presentation of the Student Award to the best university projects.
The event celebrates the harmony between elegance and sustainability, offering shipyards and technology companies an ideal international platform to showcase their innovations.
The experience is also open to non-resident guests on Sunday at a cost of 180 euros per person. Seating is limited and reservations are required; please send an email to marketing@villadeste.it or visit the hotel’s website under the “Events” section.
