The Earthling E-40, an innovative electric-hybrid power catamaran engineered in New Zealand, travelled across the Mediterranean to Barcelona for its European debut at the 2025 Barcelona International Boat Show. The journey combined cargo transport from Auckland to Italy with a solo Mediterranean crossing exceeding 1,000 kilometres.
Owner and engineer John McGettigan piloted the boat, demonstrating that there is a practical alternative to conventional combustion-powered cruising in the Mediterranean. The E-40 integrates electric propulsion with onboard solar panels and a low-consumption generator, enabling extended cruising with minimal fuel dependency.
Operating nearly silently at 10 knots, the E-40 exemplifies "sailing without sails" — combining sustainable technology with practical long-distance cruising capability.
