Electric flight is taking off

Aircraft firms are partnering to tackle greenhouse gas emissions, with electric one answer.

The world’s first commercial electric passenger aircraft has been launched at the Paris Airshow, June 17-23.

Dubbed ‘Alice’, the nine-seater electric plane from Eviation in Israel could be in service by 2022. It can fly 1040km at 3km altitude and do up to 440km/h.

The aircraft’s strange design is attributable to the lightweight motors and includes a flat lower fuselage to improve lift. There are three rear-facing pusher-propellers in the wingtips and tail.

“This plane looks like this not because we wanted to build a cool plane, but because it is electric,” says Eviation’s chief executive Omer Bar-Yohay, the BBC News reports.

“You build a craft around your propulsion system. Electric means we can have lightweight motors; it allows us to open up the design space.”

US regional airline Cape Air plans to buy a number of the aircraft.

Many other airlines and companies are looking into electric aerospace as well.

Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens are co-operating on an electric-hybrid aeroplane, the E-Fan X schedule to be airborne in 2021.

Others are also working on hybrids and electrics.

EasyJet, for instance, is working with Wright Electric towards services by 2027.

Investment bank UBS forecasts a fast switch to hybrid and electric aircraft for regional travel, with an eventual demand for 550 hybrid airliners annually between 2028 and 2040.

Making long-haul flights electric may prove trickier.

Various agencies are noting aircraft carbon dioxide emissions, so the change to electric – especially for short-haul flights – is expected to happen quickly.