A new fully electric powerboat racing series will debut in France this year, built on the standard UIM F4 race boat platform rather than the purpose-built hardware that has defined other electric racing concepts.
The Formula 60 Electric Championship has been developed by German electric propulsion company Molabo and French clean energy firm Protenergies, and will run four race weekends under the French national federation (FFM) in 2026. International expansion under the UIM is planned for 2027.
The boat is not new. It was demonstrated publicly at Mons during the UIM F4 World Championship rounds last year, giving the project visibility within the existing F4 community before the championship structure was announced.
Retrofit, Not Redesign
The design philosophy is deliberate: a retrofit kit that replaces the combustion engine while changing the F4’s characteristics as little as possible. The existing hull is retained unchanged. Molabo’s 50 kW ARIES electric drive replaces the engine, paired with battery modules from Kaiser Bootsmanufaktur, optimised for sprint racing with a swappable system to allow back-to-back racing without long recharge stops.
Where the E1 Series opted for custom hydrofoiling Racebirds, Formula 60 Electric takes an accessible route – the entry point is a platform teams already know.
The system runs on a 48-volt architecture, which classifies as low-voltage under safety regulations, removing the high-voltage isolation requirements that add cost and complexity to most electric racing platforms. Critically, it allows non-certified personnel to work on the boat in a competition environment – a point also relevant to rescue diver safety in the event of a capsize.
The 48-volt capability is underpinned by Molabo’s patented ISCAD (Intelligent Stator Cage Drive) technology, which uses 12 solid metal rods in place of conventional three-phase windings. The approach allows high power output at safe-to-touch voltages – something previously considered impossible above 20 kW. The ARIES 50 has won the Electric and Hybrid Marine Award for New Propulsion Technology of the Year twice, for both its inboard and outboard variants. Molabo has been part of the Hechinger Group, one of Germany’s largest family-owned industrial companies, since January 2024.
“Molabo’s low-voltage drives are perfect for F4. They have plenty of power, intense acceleration and they’re safe and easy for trained race teams to work on. We replaced the combustion engine with the ARIES drive using the existing outboard motor. The big challenge was battery weight. We sourced very high energy density, lightweight and modular batteries and designed a custom mounting solution, so the modules can be quickly and easily swapped for a fully charged set between races.” – Jürgen Kaiser, Kaiser Bootsmanufaktur
On the Water
The project moved through a clear public development timeline before Mons. The electric F4 made its first on-water appearance on June 28 at Mâcon for a demonstration. On July 3 the team competed in the Sea Lab Class at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. Then, from August 21-24, the boat appeared at the Mons Water Grand Prix for demonstration runs and an official UIM record attempt.
The official UIM-sanctioned record was set at 91.5 km/h, calculated as the average of two timed passes over a one-kilometre course – 94 km/h outbound and 89 km/h return. The UIM formally confirmed the record. During earlier pre-record testing in poor weather conditions, the team had already reached 100 km/h, a figure that informed confidence in the record attempt but is not part of the official mark.
Pilot Mael Touchet, of Team Tech-ouT E-Racing, reported electric acceleration as noticeably stronger than the combustion equivalent, with identical maneuverability between the two configurations. Reduced vibration and significantly less noise in the cockpit were the main practical differences.
The 2026 Calendar
Four rounds are confirmed across France:
| Round | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albi | June 7/8 |
| 2 | Macon | June 27/28 |
| 3 | Chalon-sur-Saone | August 29/30 |
| 4 | Caen | September 5/6 |
Mercury Racing’s Role
The development has been carried out “in alignment with key industry stakeholders, including the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) and Mercury Racing” – according to the official announcement. Mercury Racing’s inclusion is worth noting: the company’s core business is the high-performance combustion engines this series is designed to move away from. No further detail on the nature of Mercury Racing’s involvement has been provided.
Founding Teams
Teams are currently being invited to join as Founding Members, with entries described as limited. Founding Members will participate in shaping the technical and sporting regulations of the class ahead of the planned UIM international rollout, and will receive technical support and enhanced media and sponsor visibility.
Protenergies CEO Guillaume de Matharel has stated that Molabo’s ARIES 48-volt propulsion kit will be made available to any racing team wishing to convert an existing F4 to electric, ahead of anticipated E-F4 and S3 competition categories.
“The transition to electric is technically straightforward. With the championship launch confirmed, the inaugural Formula 60 Electric grid is now being finalised, with only a limited number of team entries still available.” – Adrian Patzak, CCO, Molabo
The deadline for expressions of interest is March 29, 2026. Teams can contact the organisers at [email protected].
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
