Italy’s incentives for the electrification of leisure boating are now set to fully take shape, with the publication of the lists of approved applications confirming that the measure is moving from design to real implementation. The incentives offering grants covering up to 50% of the cost for purchasing small electric marine motors and related battery packs for recreational boats operating in both inland and maritime waters.
The programme, managed by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, has an initial budget of 3 million euros for 2024 and is designed to encourage the replacement of combustion engines with electric propulsion systems on pleasure craft.
The measure is based on Article 13 of Law 206/2023 on the promotion and protection of Made in Italy and on the interministerial decree of 5 September 2024, which sets out access criteria, eligible expenditure and procedures, and appoints Invitalia as the implementing body. Both private individuals and companies that own pleasure craft used for sport and recreational navigation, without profit, as well as for commercial purposes and social boating in maritime and inland waters, can apply for the incentives. Individuals may submit applications for the purchase of up to two motors, while companies are allowed to request support for multiple units within the maximum contribution caps.
Eligible investments include the purchase of electric propulsion motors with a power rating between 0.5 kW and 12 kW, in outboard, inboard, sterndrive and POD configurations, provided they comply with the technical standards specified in Article 5 of the implementing decree. The scheme also covers the cost of battery packs for use and installation on board, with the condition that only expenses incurred after the publication of the grant award decision are considered admissible. The public support takes the form of a non‑repayable grant of up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at 2,000 euros for outboard motors with integrated battery and 10,000 euros for outboard, inboard, sterndrive or POD systems equipped with external batteries.
For private individuals, the overall contribution cannot exceed 8,000 euros, whereas for companies the ceiling is set at 50,000 euros, with business support granted under the “de minimis” state-aid regime.