Monaco is 1 of 6 locations hosting the star-studded E1 — a race thought ‘impossible’ before it began

Monaco's connection to car racing and boating is stamped all over it, from the hairpin turns of its Formula One circuit to the five-deck superyachts docked at Port Hercule.

But its desires to be known as a sustainability destination are less apparent.

Monaco's "Green is the New Glam" campaign, launched in 2018, highlighted many of the country's environmental efforts. And a 2023 tourism campaign named sustainability as one of three key pillars — alongside "Instagrammability" and digital nomad appeal — for attracting new travelers.

Its green goals are at odds with its greenhouse-gas-emitting superyachts and beloved Formula One races. The latter's carbon footprint amounted to more than 223,000 tons of carbon dioxide across the 2022 season, according to a Formula One report. But they do align with a new boating competition E1 which races 100% electric-powered speedboats. 

Monaco is one of six locations hosting the competition, which launched in Saudi Arabia in February.

During the Monaco race on July 28, Bernard d'Alessandri, general secretary and managing director of Yacht Club de Monaco, said E1 showcases new technology for boat racing.

"Before E1, it was impossible to have a race with electric boats," he said. "E1 has proven you can."

Nine teams, co-piloted by one man and one woman, are competing in Racebirds, fully electric speedboats custom-built for E1. Akin to a high-tech hummingbird, its small wings, head and body are punctuated by an extended nose and a sleek metallic exterior.

According to race organizers, the Racebird is a certified zero-emission boat, which doesn't release oil or fuel into the water and creates around half the noise and fewer waves than typical motorized boats — all of which can distress marine life. 

Rac