Lake Geneva joins Aqua superPower Network

Thonon-les-Bains has become the first destination on Lake Geneva to join the Aqua superPower network with the switch-on of an Aqua 75 DC marine fast charging station.

“This installation marks the start of a charging corridor around Lake Geneva,” says Karen Gill, COO of Aqua superPower. “With reliable charging infrastructure in place, we expect to see a surge in electric boat adoption, paving the way for cleaner boating on Lake Geneva.”

Located on the southern shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in Haute-Savoie, France, Port Rives – Thonon-les-Bains was originally a traditional fishing village. It remains home to a small fleet of professional fishermen and features one of the largest marinas on the French side of the lake, with 800 moorings, including 58 visitor berths. The port offers comprehensive boating services, complemented by waterfront restaurants, bars, and shops.

The new Aqua 75kW fast charging station features twin CCS2 connectors, enabling two electric boats to recharge in just 20-40 minutes. Accessible via the Aqua app, the station supports both recreational and commercial vessels. Aqua superPower’s brand-agnostic chargers are designed to integrate with leading boat brands and powertrain manufacturers, ensuring compatibility and promoting cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.

The company’s brand-agnostic marine fast chargers are built on the proven CCS standard from the automotive industry. This ensures seamless compatibility with leading electric boat brands and powertrain manufacturers, Gill explains.

“This universal approach is vital, as it eliminates proprietary barriers, giving boat owners — whether recreational or commercial — the freedom to embrace zero-emission boating with confidence. By working with OEM’s and powertrain manufacturers at an early stage we are able to ensure their technology is compatible with our network and provides the end-user with a tried and tested charging solution accessible via our app and Aqualink. This strategy simplifies electrification and sets the stage for a global charging network, making electric boating as accessible and convenient as traditional fueling, driving sustainability across the world’s waterways.”

Tourist spot takes advantage of electrification

Thonon-les-Bains is a tourist and spa town located between Lake Geneva and the Alps, surrounded by the Chablais Geopark, which is classified by UNESCO. Needless to say, the natural setting is prominent.

“After rapid growth, the town continues to develop thanks to a demographic dynamic enhanced by its cross-border context,” says mayor Christophe Arminjon. “In response to the challenges posed by climate change, we have chosen sustainable development.

“Since 2020, we have systematically worked on reclaiming brownfield sites, renaturing the city, and taking long-term action against pollution while promoting energy sobriety in the region. The town’s green capital has increased by 40 per cent, and major projects, such as the creation of a 12.5 km urban district heating network, are taking shape.

“The issue of mobility is also part of this approach. We strongly promote public transportation, soft mobility, and alternatives to fossil-fueled cars. Although we are not the organising authority for lake-based mobility, we haven’t neglected the issue of transportation on the lake.

“In 2024, we equipped the city with a new hybrid-powered cruise ship. With the installation of the fast charger by Aqua superPower, Thonon becomes the first city on the French shores of Lake Geneva to have a public charging station for electric boating. This is another step towards a more responsible future.”

The switch-on coincided with Fête Nautique. At the inauguration event, Mobyfly (Prototype MBFY-10) and Weenav (Capelli Tempest 770) demonstrated their electric boats, compatible with Aqua superPower’s fast charging network. Charging demonstrations showcased the seamless integration and reliability of the Aqua 75kW DC fast charging station, highlighting the potential for electric boats to transform Port Rives – Thonon-les-Bains into a hub for sustainable marine activity.

Aqua superPower posits that the global electric boat market is expected to be worth over $20 billion by 2027. There are currently over 30 million recreational boats in the world. Assuming the boat market continues to grow in line with historical trends, it is likely there will be more than 1 million electric boats by 2030. Regulation will accelerate this trend. More and more areas will only be accessible to electric boats, the company says.

Electric corridor on UK’s south coast

Recently the company announced that eight marine charging sites have been installed to support electric vessel operations along the UK’s south coast, as part of The Electric Seaway (TES) project. That aims to establish a network of charging infrastructure along the UK’s south coast.

The project launched in June 2023 with £3.2m in funding from the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), part of the Department for Transport, with Innovate UK as the primary delivery partner. The eight new charging sites, installed as part of the initiative, support electric maritime vessels under 24m in both leisure and commercial sectors.

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