Electric planes possible within a decade – EasyJet

Battery aircraft might be flying from the United Kingdom to European destinations within a decade, EasyJet says.

It’s in partnership with US engineering start-up Wright Electric to develop electric aircraft which can fly for up to two hours, That would allow travel on short-haul routes like London to Paris and Edinburgh to Bristol, EasyJet says.

The aerospace industry will follow the lead of the automotive industry in developing electric engines cutting emissions and noise, EasyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall says, The Guardian reports.

“For the first time in my career I can envisage a future without jet fuel and we are excited to be part of it.”

Electric planes will be 50% quieter and 10% cheaper for airlines to buy and operate, with savings potentially passed on to passengers, Wright Electric says.

It has a two-seater prototype and expects a fully electric plane within a decade.

A ten-seat aircraft is the next step, with eventually one capable of carrying up to 120 people.