3.04.26 🚢 EV Boating 101 🛟 11:30 am – 2:45 pm

🚢 EV Boating 101 Webinar

📅 March 4th, 2026 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

🗺️ Virtual – REGISTER HERE

Wisconsin is a unique state bordered by two great lakes and the largest river in North America, with 15,074 smaller landlocked lakes within. We hold 21% of the world’s surface freshwater, which supports an $8.4 billion economy and 34,000 Wisconsin jobs. Despite this, Wisconsin does not have any laws regulating boating emissions.

If we want to keep Wisconsin lakes clean, it’s up to us, the people, to raise awareness about cleaner alternative fuel options and promote practices that help protect our marine life.  Jukka Kukkonen, Professor of EV Markets and Technology at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, will teach us how to better protect our waterways through electric boating.

Why should you consider electric boating?

• They are more efficient! Traditional internal combustion engines are only 15-25% efficient due to heat and mechanical losses. By comparison, electric motors have just one moving part — the rotor — and achieve 85-95% efficiency.
• They are cheaper to use! Since they are more efficient and use less energy, the energy costs to run a boat are also considerably lower.  All bigger marinas have power outlets available for boats for shore power. In many cases there is adequate power available for electric boat charging.
• They run much quieter, allowing for relaxed conversation and attracting fish faster!
• Instant Torque: Electric motors deliver instant torque, providing quick acceleration and responsive handling. This can result in a more enjoyable and dynamic boating experience, especially for water sports and recreational activities.
• Electric boats are safer: Electric propulsion systems eliminate the risk of fuel leaks or spills, reducing the likelihood of fires and environmental hazards. Additionally, electric motors are often located within the hull, reducing the risk of propeller-related accidents.
• They require far less maintenance compared to their traditional counterparts. There’s no need for oil changes, spark plug replacements, winterization, or battling a stubborn engine to get out on the water.
• They are environmentally friendly: electric boats create far less harm to our marine life, produce zero emissions during operation, reducing both air and water pollution.

Please attend our webinar to learn more about electric boating! 

Jukka holds a degree in applied science and began his career as an automotive engineer by training, working his way into technical training and area management for Ford in Europe. He also teaches EV Markets and Technology at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. In 2010 Jukka founded Shift2Electric to focus on transportation electrification. With his deep knowledge of the electric vehicle market, he has built programs for utility companies, condominium and apartment building charging, workplace charging, DC fast charging, outreach and education and smart grid integration

James Bruette is a specialist in mechanical and electrical engineering with a career focused on energy management, power generation, and heat recovery. A graduate from the Milwaukee School of Engineering where he studied Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jim worked his way to the esteemed Vice Presidential position over sales and business development at Inertial Electric. He currently serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing at ZEF Energy, an electric vehicle (EV) charging software and hardware provider headquartered in Minneapolis. His philosophy on energy is summarized by his hero and fellow engineer, Nikola Tesla: “What we now want is closer contact and better understanding between individuals and communities all over the earth, and the elimination of egoism and pride which is always prone to plunge the world into primeval barbarism and strife… Peace can only come as a natural consequence of universal enlightenment…”

WCC plans to do a deep dive into the ways we can help protect Wisconsin’s waterways. We welcome partnerships and ideas on how we can accomplish this mission together. Feel free to reach out to info@wicleancities.org with your suggestions.

Fred Schnook, Executive Director of Wisconsin Clean Cities, holds a master’s ​degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin-​Oshkosh. He is the former Mayor of the City of Ashland, Wisconsin, where he established the city as the first Eco-​Municipality in the nation. These efforts helped Mayor Schnook to ​increase funding to Ashland by ​over 350%. Fred previously served as a consultant with Foth, Inc., ​providing sustainable planning to private ​sector enterprises and municipalities across the mid-west. Fred has served as the City and Village ​Administrator in Kewaunee and Mukwonago, Wisconsin. Schnook ​also served as Wisconsin’s representative to the Great Lakes ​Commission. Mr. Schnook has lectured at universities across the mid-west and numerous conferences internationally on Sustainable Planning, ​Economic Development, Eco-​Industrial Park Design and Creative Cities.