Electric aircraft could aid eco-travel

Blenheim-based Sounds Air aims to be the first airline in Australasia providing electric aircraft services, recently sealing a deal on getting e-aircraft.

It plans to have three 19-seat electric aircraft by 2026 and switch to an all-electric fleet by about 2030 if battery technology allows, Sounds Air announcing last year it intends buying the e-aircraft from Swedish company Heart Aerospace.

Last month, Heart Aerospace reported it raised US$35 million in a Series A round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, United Airlines Ventures and Mesa Air Group Inc.

As part of the agreement, United and Mesa have placed purchase orders for 200 e-aircraft, the ES-19, with options for an additional 100.

The ES-19 has about 400km range, that expected to improve as battery technology develops.

In 2020, Heart demonstrated its first iteration of the ES-19’s electric propulsion system, comprising a 400kW electric motor, an electric motor controller and a battery pack with an integrated battery management system (BMS) – all with world-leading performance.

The ES-19 will offer significantly lower operating costs compared to similar sized gas-turbine aircraft. be quieter than its turboprop counterparts, with less vibration and noise, making it ideal for short range regional air travel, Heart says.

Click here for more on Heart Aerospace.

Meanwhile, electric aircraft are being touted as a way to save the at-risk Milford Sound Airport.

The airport may be replaced by trees and a walkway under a Milford Opportunities Project plan for zero emission transport and tourism at the world heritage site.

A brewing fight about the Milford Sound Airport is covered in a recent Otago Daily Times post.