Electric boats are quietly taking over Australian waterways

From Sydney Harbour to the Murray River, electric boats are appearing on Australian waterways in growing numbers. Silent, fumeless and cheap to run, they're changing how we spend a day on the water.

Why electric now?

Modern lithium packs have crossed the energy-density threshold that makes a full day of cruising practical. Today's electric runabouts deliver 60–90 minutes of continuous running and recharge overnight from a standard marina outlet.

What to look for

When comparing electric boats, focus on three numbers: usable battery capacity in kWh, cruise speed at 50% throttle, and charging time. Peak speed matters far less than real-world range at cruising revs.

The EVMarket take

Electric boats are where electric cars were in 2018 — early, but unmistakably the future. Watch this space as more Australian dealers add marine lines.