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| First electric passenger plane prepares to fly |
The world's first electric jet is about to take off. The Eviation-developed car, dubbed the Alice, underwent engine tests last week.
According to the company's CEO, Alice is just weeks away from her maiden flight.
Using battery technology similar to an electric car or mobile phone, Alice and nine passengers can travel 500 miles per hour after a 30-minute charge.
The maximum flight speed of the aircraft is 463 kilometers per hour. The maximum speed of the Boeing 737 is 946 kilometers per hour.
The company, which focuses on electric air travel, hopes to have electric planes seating 20 to 40 passengers within seven to 10 years.
The prototype of the aircraft, which made its debut in 2019, has been undergoing low-speed testing since December. A high-speed test is scheduled in the coming weeks.
During these tests, the aircraft descended to the runway at varying speeds to test its strength and allow the ground crew to monitor systems such as steering, brakes and anti-lock brakes.
Although the company initially planned to fly Alice until 2022, harsh weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest late in the year hampered the tests.
Eviation developed three versions of the prototype: Passenger, Executive and Cargo. The passenger version tested seats nine passengers and two pilots, as well as 385 kg of cargo.
The Executive Edition has six passenger seats for a more spacious flight. The cargo plane has a volume of 450 cubic feet.
The field of electric aviation is becoming increasingly crowded, both for start-ups and established airlines. NASA awarded GE Aviation and magniX $253 million in September 2021 to bring the technology to the US fleet by 2035.
Electric aircraft can become as reliable as any other means of transportation
Boeing is investing $450 million in Wisk Aero, a company that makes an all-electric, self-propelled jetliner. Airbus has been working hard to develop its electric aerospace sector since 2010.
Industry experts say batteries are the biggest obstacle to electric flying becoming the standard in commercial aircraft.
As with electric cars, battery technology is an obstacle, but even more so in aircraft where weight is a concern.
International shipping company DHL has an order for 12 Alice aircraft, which are expected to be delivered in 2024.
The aircraft, which is part of DHL Express' global fleet of more than 280 aircraft, will serve as a freight carrier for short-haul flights.
As we approach some battery-powered flights, ocean travel and electric planes are years away.
The most pressing issue facing electric aviation today is regulation. Although Eviation says it is actively working with the FAA to achieve production certification by 2024, the FAA has yet to provide clear guidelines or a regulatory framework for electric aircraft that fall into the air mobility category.
Proponents of electric aviation anticipate that electric Alice and electric aircraft will become as popular as any other means of transportation.