Villa d’Este, the iconic 5-star luxury hotel on Lake Como and part of Villa d’Este La Collezione, is once again shining a 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, has established itself as the premier observatory and benchmark in Italy for the evolution of electric technology applied to sustainable boating.
Six years after its debut, the event bears witness to the transition of electric boating from an experimental phase to a concrete and conscious maturity. Villa d’Este is not only the exceptional setting for this gathering but also its active promoter: the hotel showcases the present of zero-emission navigation through the daily experience of its electric fleet, steering the debate toward new standards of quality and environmental responsibility. In this unique setting, located just a few steps from “Alessandro Volta’s Como,” historical memory merges with technological innovation to redefine the concept of elegance on the water.
The event renews its collaboration with the Alessandro Volta Foundation, which this year is promoting numerous events to mark the bicentennial of the inventor of the first electric generator, and the Ernesto Riva Shipyard with its ER Revolution 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 boating. 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 the Taiga electric jet skis and the fast-charging infrastructure from Aqua superPower, key elements for the development of an integrated and silent navigation network.
Supporting the sector’s evolution is the constant contribution of the academic world, which actively participates in the discussion by bringing the results of the most advanced research to the table. The Milan Polytechnic will present the Team Polimi Energy Boat project through a dynamic prototype in operation, followed by the University of Bologna with Team Argonauts UniBo. The Turin Polytechnic will showcase the Team Polito H2Fly 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 institutional events, created to foster a concrete dialogue between technological research, the nautical 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 increasingly environmentally conscious tourism.”
At the conclusion of the event, in support of research, innovation, and the commitment of university students and faculty, a jury composed of leading experts from various sectors will award the project deemed most deserving, a recognition aimed at highlighting the value of university research and its practical application.
Event Program Sunday, May 10
- 9:45 AM – 12:30 PM: Tech Talks and an institutional roundtable dedicated to dialogue between institutions, industry, and academia.
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Technical session with access to prototypes and visits to the boats at the dock.
- 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Lunch at the Grill Restaurant at Villa d’Este
- 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Operational demonstrations and sea trials.
- 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: The iconic Parade at the Voltiano Temple, a symbolic tribute by
- the electric boating industry to the legacy of Alessandro Volta, for boat owners only.
- 6:00 PM: Closing Cocktail 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 stage to promote their innovations.
- The experience is also open to non-resident guests on Sunday at a cost of 180 euros per person, with limited seating and reservations required. To book, send an email to marketing@villadeste.it or visit the hotel’s website under the “Events” section.
