Zephyr Boats has been recognised for its Zephyr 900 Eco electric-powered vessel project.
The craft has been awarded the 2026 Delta d’Or from the Spanish-based FAD Association of Industrial Design (ADI-FAD) in the Mobility category.
The award follows on from the craft being presented with the Catalonia d’Ecodesign awards last year.
“The Delta d’Or award validates a way of doing things based on in-house design, local production, and a long-term vision.
Transition
“The challenge now is to transform this recognition into commercial growth and consolidate Zephyr Boats’ presence in the main European nautical markets,” said co-founder, director and designer Romà Pueyo.
The jury recognised the project ‘for accelerating the transition to more sustainable recreational boating with an electric proposal that combines zero emissions, high performance, and respect for marine ecosystems’.
The Zephyr 900 Eco was designed from the outset to integrate batteries, an electrical system, and future engine upgrades.
The vessel measures 8.93-metres in length with a beam of 2.94-metres, and has a planning hull deep-V hull and centre console layout.
It incorporates NMC lithium-ion batteries with seawater cooling and has been designed with Zephyr’s KeelFlow keel, a proprietary hydrodynamic development to reduce water resistance for a more efficient and smoother ride.
Manufacturing model
The project also prioritises eco-design materials, such as natural fibres and recycled PET in structural components.
Zephyr Boats was founded in 2021 and presented its first vessel in October 2022 at the Barcelona boat show.
The company operates from Vulpellac, in the Baix Empordà region of Catalonia, led by its co-founders Romà Pueyo, director and designer, and Gemma Pagès, head of strategy.
Currently the company produces ten units annually under a specialised manufacturing model and on demand, with six versions of the Z900 platform.
Zephyr Boats currently has distributors in Valencia, the Balearic Islands, La Rochelle, and Venice, is working on its entry into the Netherlands, and has closed its first international sale.
The growth plan includes two new models: the Zephyr 801 which is planned for the end of 2027, with the aim of reducing consumption by up to 38% compared to comparable conventional solutions and incorporating basalt fibres and bioresins; and the Zephyr 1101, planned for the end of 2028, a longer vessel with which the brand wants to enter a new market segment.
The Delta Awards recognise excellence in industrial design and are presented in three categories: the Delta Awards, the Delta Medals and the Delta Cultura Award.
