electric water taxi in venice roams around quietly
There’s a fully electric water taxi in Venice, and it goes by the name Lucietta, a boat designed with recycled Murano glasses. Built by Cantiere Motonautico Serenella and developed by Nauta Yachts and Repower, the vehicle takes ideas from the traditional Venetian water taxi and replaces its fuel engine with electric propulsion. On top of this, actual Venetian taxi drivers partook in the design process, co-developing the electric taxi using a survey to define the specifications needed for a vessel ideal for the Lagoon but also usable in other settings.
The design includes a wide open space and a side boarding point for passengers. The electric water taxi in Venice is fitted with a canopy and a windshield to protect the pilot, and their seat is also adjustable. There’s also a boarding handrail and a stainless steel rub rail for protection, and the interior includes LED lighting, USB ports, and dimmable lights. Underwater lights located at the stern glow at night, and for music and entertainment, a Fusion audio system with K-Array speakers is installed. Lucietta is set to appear during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia between August 27th and September 6th, 2025.
all images courtesy of Repower
Lucietta transports without emissions or loud engine noise
Lucietta is designed for inland waterways and fits well into Venice’s network of canals and lagoons. Its quiet electric motor allows it to travel quietly, and the electric water taxi can transport without producing emissions or loud engine noise. The boat’s energy system helps reduce running costs and maintenance, and with fewer mechanical parts and no fuel system, electric motors need less servicing, which can make them cheaper to operate. The water vehicle uses a full-electric propulsion system and runs on a 200-kilowatt motor, powered by a 182.25-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The system includes nine battery packs, each with a capacity of 20.25 kWh, operating at 600 volts. The power gives Lucietta a top speed of about 30 knots when empty, and it can cruise at around 11 knots.
When following Venice’s speed limits of seven to 20 kilometers per hour, the battery can last for a full working day. For navigation and control, the electric water taxi uses a 12-inch Garmin display, and it has touchscreen controls and push-button ignition. The boat in Venice also includes a system for remote tracking and battery management, with the charging system supporting temperature-controlled charging to protect the battery. Lucietta has two tanks. One holds 42 liters for a refrigerator, while another holds 56 liters for water. There’s a deck wash connection, and the flooring and deck are made from synthetic teak. Lucietta’s name comes from a female character in the plays of Carlo Goldoni, made for modern urban use and connected with Venetian history and identity.
Lucietta is designed for inland waterways and fits well into Venice’s network of canals and lagoons
the water vehicle takes ideas from the traditional Venetian water taxi
aerial view of Lucietta, the electric water taxi in Venice
the design includes a wide open space and a side boarding point for passengers
detailed view of the rear
the vehicle is present at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival
project info:
name: Lucietta
company: Repower | @repower_italia
build: Cantiere Motonautico Serenella | @serenella_shipyard_
development: Nauta Yachts | @nautadesign
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