In Kerala, waterways are part of everyday life. Ferries take people to work and school; boats connect communities across the backwaters, and countless journeys both routine and recreational happen on the water. For decades, diesel has powered this network. But as the need for cleaner and more efficient transport grows now, the way Kerala moves across its waterways is beginning to change.  

Doordarshan News recently featured Navalt’s work in solar-electric marine technology, bringing attention to the vessels and engineering behind this shift. The feature looks at how electric propulsion, battery systems and solar energy are being brought together to create boats designed for real-world operation not just as demonstrations, but as practical alternatives for water transport. 

For Navalt, this is the direction we have been working toward: making clean marine mobility work where it matters most on the water, carrying people every day. 

An electric boat must be designed as a complete system. 

The battery needs to be suitable for marine conditions. The propulsion system needs to deliver the required performance. Energy consumption has to be managed carefully, and the different electrical systems onboard need to work together reliably. 

Most importantly, these systems have to perform on the water—not just in controlled environments. 

That is where Navalt’s experience in marine design, electric propulsion, battery technology and solar energy comes into play. Our focus has been on developing vessels designed for practical operation rather than simply demonstrating what electric boats could theoretically achieve. 

Every vessel has its own operating requirements. Understanding those requirements is central to building a marine propulsion system that can perform reliably day after day. 

Why Electric Propulsion Is Getting Operators’ Attention 

For vessel operators, the purchase price is only one part of the equation. 

A conventional diesel vessel also brings recurring fuel expenses, engine servicing, replacement parts, and labor. Unexpected maintenance can add another layer of cost when a vessel needs to be operating rather than sitting at the dock. 

Electric propulsion offers a different operating model. 

With fewer moving parts than a conventional combustion engine, electric propulsion can reduce the mechanical complexity associated with traditional marine engines. Operators also gain a different way of thinking about energy use and vessel maintenance. 

For fleets that have dealt with diesel costs year after year, the economics of day-to-day operations are an important part of the conversation around electrification. 

Solar Energy Adds Another Piece to the Puzzle 

Electric propulsion answers one question: how do we move the vessel without conventional engine propulsion? 

Solar energy addresses another: how can we generate some of the electricity needed to operate it? 

By bringing together solar generation, battery storage and electric propulsion, solar-electric vessels can produce renewable energy onboard while reducing dependence on conventional energy sources. 

This combination can be particularly relevant to water transport, where vessels often operate on defined routes and may have periods between journeys when energy can be replenished. 

For us, the goal has never been simply to install solar panels or an electric motor. The bigger objective is to create an integrated energy system that supports the way a vessel actually operates. 

Kerala Has Been Part of This Journey 

There is a natural reason for this transition to take shape in Kerala. 

Water is woven into the state's transportation, tourism, fishing and everyday life. Its extensive network of backwaters and waterways provides a real-world environment for exploring how clean marine propulsion can become a practical transportation solution. 

Our journey includes Aditya, India's first solar-electric ferry, which entered service in Kerala in 2017. 

Since then, the conversation has evolved. 

The question is no longer simply whether electric boats are possible. That has already been demonstrated. The bigger opportunity is understanding how these technologies can be deployed more widely and become a normal part of water transportation. 

A Story Reaching a Wider Audience 

The Doordarshan News feature gives this transition an opportunity to reach beyond people already following developments in electric mobility. 

It brings conversation to tourism operators, policymakers, and communities whose lives are connected to Kerala’s waterways. 

We are grateful to Harshit Bhatia, Producer at Asian News International (ANI), and the teams at ANI and Doordarshan News for highlighting the work being done from Kerala’s backwaters. 

For Navalt, the direction remains straightforward: build better boats, use energy smarter and make waterways cleaner for the people who depend on them. 

Kerala has already shown that solar-electric marine transportation can move from an idea to a working vessel. 

Now, the next chapter is about taking that possibility further. 

The future of clean marine mobility is not somewhere far away. It is already taking shape on Kerala’s waterways. 

Watch the Full Doordarshan News Feature →