Late last month, I attended the launch event of the forthcoming E1 powerboat series in Monaco. As Technical Director of a team working towards fielding an entry in the championship when it launches in 2023, it was a particularly important event for me on many levels. The E1 Series is, in its own words, ?the world?s first and only electric powerboat racing series., established to create an exciting, competitive racing platform to promote sustainable electric watercraft and reduce the environmental pressures being placed on the ocean, rivers and lakes.?
 
It has ambitions to do a lot of inspiring things on many fronts. Nothing drives innovation as much as competition, so at an engineering level, the effect it will have on stimulating much needed technical advancements in the Marine sector is quite exciting, particularly in propulsion and infrastructure. One of the further key objectives of the championship is to use the platform of motorsport to highlight the impacts which human activity is causing in our marine habitats through chemical & noise pollution, destruction of habitats, ocean acidification and other damaging practices.  
MONACO, MONACO – SEPTEMBER 20: General view at the unveiling of the UIM E1 World Electric Powerboat Series ?RaceBird? prototype – the world’s first electric powerboat series, at Yacht Club de Monaco on September 20, 2021 in Monaco. (Photo by Lloyd Images/Getty Images)

The series is very much in i...