Silent sets: electric jet skis compared

Picture a glassy cove at dawn, the kind of spot where the only sound should be the water lapping against the hull. Then someone fires up a two-stroke jet ski and the peace is wiped out. It is no wonder petrol personal watercraft are getting the cold shoulder on a growing number of European waters. An electric alternative has been promised for years, and in 2026, the line-up is finally looking solid.

These craft differ more than their sleek shapes suggest. We checked the specs to see which one deserves a place in your quiver.

The morning line-up: models at a glance

Power, battery and speed for the Taiga and Narke models come from a July 2026 trade comparison. The Narke price is the 2021 launch price and the Taiga prices are United States list prices from 2025. European prices for Taiga had not been published when we checked.

Taiga Orca: the power set

Taiga is a Canadian company that also builds electric snowmobiles. They have had new owners since late 2024 and are pushing hard into the international line-up.

Their 2026 range has two models. The Orca P2 is the two-seat performance version for those who want to drop in on every wave. The Orca WX3 is a new three-seat crossover, which Taiga says gives up to two hours on the water.

Two things stand out here.

• Fast charging as standard. From 2026, every Orca has DC fast charging, using the CCS2 connector in Europe. Taiga says a charge takes under 30 minutes. That is less time than it takes to dry your wetsuit.
• Europe for the first time. Taiga announced global deliveries for 2026, including Europe.

The Orca is the closest thing to a conventional personal watercraft with a battery. It is fast and it is built for the same heavy sessions. Whether you can actually fast charge depends on having a DC charger at the water, which is still a rare bird. See Fast charging for boats in Europe.

Narke GT95: the premium groundswell

Narke is a Hungarian maker, founded in 2014. Their GT95 has been on sale since 2021, which makes it the veteran of the group.

It is a three-seater with 71 kW and a 24 kWh battery. Reported range is about two hours of riding, or roughly 50 km. Charging takes from 1.5 to 6 hours depending on the charger you have at the break.

At a launch price of 47,500 euros before VAT, plus a fast charger, it is the most expensive of the bunch. Availability is limited, and reports from the United States describe it as often out of stock. It is a premium piece of kit for a specific kind of session.

ROXEN: the light-gear approach

ROXEN comes from Roxen Innovations in Sweden and takes the opposite approach. Instead of a massive battery and high power, it is built around low weight. ROXEN is a recreational craft.

The hull weighs 79 kg and the battery 33 kg. With 22 kW and a waterjet it reaches 30 knots and cruises at about 15. The 5.25 kWh battery gives up to 75 minutes, or about 15 nautical miles, and lifts out to be swapped for a charged one. It charges from a normal 230 volt socket in about three hours.

The practical consequence is transport. Two people can lift the hull onto a car roof, so you need no trailer and no slipway. It is the ultimate portable gear for a quick session.

Roxen describes it as a recreational craft, not a personal watercraft. How authorities classify it affects which licence applies and where it may be used, so check the position in your country before you paddle out. See Personal watercraft rules across Europe.

Wipeouts: what is not on the list

A few big names are still sitting on the beach.

• Sea-Doo. The Sea-Doo Rise, announced in 2022, is an electric foil board, not a jet ski. BRP has given no official date for an electric personal watercraft.
• Yamaha. Still no official entry date for an electric model.
• Belassi. The maker has announced an electric model with a partner for 2026 or 2027. Specifications are not confirmed.
• Limited-run hyper models. A few very high-power electric craft are built in tiny numbers at very high prices. They are not practical purchases for most of us.

Two philosophies: choosing your session

The table hides the real choice, which is between two ideas of what an electric session should be.

Big battery. Taiga and Narke carry about 24 kWh. That buys performance close to petrol and a session of about two hours. It also means a heavy craft that needs a trailer, a slipway and, ideally, fast charging. It is like carrying a heavy longboard when you want to shred.

Light weight. ROXEN carries about a fifth of that energy and has less than a fifth of the power. It is slower, and one battery lasts a shorter time. In exchange it travels on a roof rack, launches from a beach and charges from any socket. A second battery extends the day.

Neither is better in the abstract. Ask where you will ride and how you will get there.

• If you have a berth or a trailer and want speed and passengers, look at the big-battery craft.
• If you want to carry it to water that has no ramp, weight matters more than power. See Yacht toys go electric.

Before you paddle out: buyer's checklist

• Where it is allowed. Many lakes cap electric power or ban this type of craft outright. Start with Europe's electric-only waters.
• Licence and registration. They follow the craft classification and power, and differ by country. Don't get caught by the locals.
• Charging where you ride. A CCS2 port is only useful near a DC charger.
• Service. Ask where the nearest dealer or service partner is.
• Delivery. Several of these makers are small. Ask for a firm delivery date and what happens to your deposit if it slips.

If you are deciding between this kind of craft and a board, see eFoil, electric surfboard or electric jet ski.