Electric Passenger Plane Could Soon Take to the Skies
We could soon be entering the age of electric flight as aerospace companies look at ways of tackling the industry's contribution to greenhouse gases.
At the recent Paris Airshow, the Israeli company Eviation Aircraft unveiled a prototype of its electric plane which could become world's first commercial all-electric passenger aircraft.
The plane is called Alice and will carry nine passengers for a distance of up to 650 miles at a cruising height of 10,000 feet. The cruise speed will be around 240 knots.
The aircraft is powered by three rear-facing pusher-propellers. One main pusher-propeller at the tail and two at the wingtips to counter the effects of drag, create redundancy and improve efficiency.
Redefining Air Travel
“Operating at a fraction of the costs of conventional jetliners, our ‘Alice’ will redefine how people travel regionally and usher in a new era of flying that is quieter, cleaner and cost-effective,” said Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay.
Among the advantages of electric planes are:
- Much quieter for passengers and people who live close to airports.
- Lower operating costs for airlines which could mean lower ticket prices for passengers.
- Emission-free and environmentally friendly engine.
Alice is expected to undergo flight tests at some point this year and receive certification in 2021. According to Eviation, it should enter service in 2022.
The company has already taken its first orders, from US regional airline Cape Air. A report by the BBC says that the company has agreed to buy a “double-digit” number of aircraft.
For more information about Alice and electric flight click here.
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