World’s First All-Electric Passenger Plane Takes Flight
On Tuesday, a prototype all-electric nine-passenger commuter aircraft took off from Washington State's Grant County International Airport, marking a significant milestone for carbon-pollution-free aviation.
Facts
- On Tuesday, a prototype all-electric nine-passenger commuter aircraft took off from Washington State's Grant County International Airport, marking a significant milestone for carbon-pollution-free aviation.
- Eviation Aircraft, based in Arlington, Wash., developed the plane named "Alice." The zero-emissions plane is powered by two 640-kilowatt electric motors, and its inaugural eight-minute flight reached an altitude of 3,500 feet (1,070 meters).
- Alice will be able to fly for one to two hours with battery technology similar to that of an electric car or cell phone, and 30 minutes of charging, based on today’s battery technology. The plane is targeted at commuter and cargo markets and will operate flights ranging from 150 to 250 miles (241 to 402 kilometers).
- Eviation’s chief suggested that to make these electric planes more commercially viable, there must be advances in batteries and general design.
- Eviation plans to offer its electric airplane in three configurations: a nine-seater commuter version; a luxury six-passenger design for more spacious flights; and a cargo plane that can hold 450 cubic feet (12.74 cubic meters) of volume.
- Eviation hopes to win certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2025 and hit the market by 2027. DHL Express ordered 12 Alice 'eCargo' planes last year, and Mass.-based Cape Air ordered 75 all-electric passenger planes in April.
Sources: Verge, Daily Mail, CNN, Independent, and Geek Wire.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by Daily Mail. This marks the start of the next exciting era of aviation. Eviation has successfully electrified the skies with this unforgettable first flight, showing the world what affordable, clean, and sustainable aviation looks and sounds like. Alice's first flight was a momentous occasion for the aviation industry.
- Narrative B, as provided by The Washington Post. The sky is unlikely to be filled with all-electric planes anytime soon. Scientists still have to push lithium-ion technology to unknown limits or make batteries using other types of chemistry. It's unclear if the FAA will know how to certify electric planes as safe for passenger flights before 2028. Implementing an overhaul to electric planes would be extremely challenging.
