Electric aircraft passenger service likely

An electric-powered commercial aircraft could be flying from London to Paris in 10 years.

British low-cost airline Easyjet is interested.

“Easyjet has had discussions with Wright Electric Airplanes and is actively providing an airline operator’s perspective on the development of this exciting technology,” the airline told BBC News.

The plane, yet to go into development, would carry 150 people on journeys of less than 483km.

US based Wright Electric says by removing the need for jet fuel, the price of travel could drop dramatically.
However, significant hurdles need to be overcome if Wright Electric is to make the Wright One plane a reality, the BBC says.

The company is relying heavily on battery technology improving at its current rate. If not, the firm won’t be able to build in enough power to give the plane the range it needs. Or it could opt for a hybrid.

Wright Electric is working alongside American inventor Chip Yates, whose own electric aircraft the Long-ESA holds the world record for fastest electric aircraft.

Wright Electric’s competitors include aviation giant Airbus, developing its electric two-seater plane E-Fan since 2014. Airbus plans to create its own short-haul electric aircraft seating 70 to 90 passengers, the BBC says.
Y Combinator, Silicon Valley’s most highly-regarded start-up incubator programme is backing Wright Electric.
Alumni of the scheme include companies such as AirBnB, file storage company Dropbox and HR management software firm Zenefits.

Wright Electric’s goal is to make all short-haul flights electric-powered within the next 20 years, which would be about 30% of all flights made globally.
The company says the technology could have a major added benefit for the public in being less noisy than conventional aircraft.

Planes wouldn’t have to sit on the tarmac while power is replenished either, as the batteries would be charged separately.
Wright Electric’s website says one person also wants its electric 150-seater as his fifth private jet.