A prototype of an all-electric airplane took to the sky for the first time on Tuesday in Washington state, marking what could be a defining, game-changing moment for the aviation industry.
Built by the startup Eviation, Alice took off on its maiden flight from Grant County International Airport at 7:10am (18:10 UAE time) and became the first zero-emission flight in the world. Alice flew for eight minutes at an altitude of 3,500 feet.
“Today we embark on the next era of aviation – we have successfully electrified the skies with the unforgettable first flight of Alice,” said a beaming Gregory Davis, Eviation President and CEO.
“People now know what affordable, clean and sustainable aviation looks and sounds like for the first time in a fixed-wing, all-electric aircraft. This ground-breaking milestone will lead innovation in sustainable air travel, and shape both passenger and cargo travel in the future.”
Targeted at commuter and cargo markets, Eviation Alice will operate flights ranging from 150 miles (241km) to 250 miles (401km). It produces no carbon emissions, significantly reduces noise, and costs a fraction to operate per flight hour compared to light jets or high-end turboprops, the company said.
Test pilot Steve Crane, who flew Alice, told The Seattle Times: “It flew and handled wonderfully. It’s beautiful. The team did a great job, built a great airplane. It’s a fast airplane, very responsive. I couldn’t be happier.”
Alice will have a maximum operating speed of 260 knots (481 kilometers per hour), and will be able to carry maximum useful load of approximately 1,135 kilos for passenger version and 1,180 kilos for the eCargo version.
It is powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units from magniX, the only flight-proven electric propulsion systems at this scale. It uses just over 21,500 small Tesla-style battery cells that, at just over 4 tons, makeup half the weight of the carbon composite airframe.
The plane will have two commuter versions, one built to carry nine passengers and two flying staff and the other an executive six-seater version.
The company’s aim in near future is to show such electric planes are viable as commuter aircraft flying at an altitude of about 15,000 feet.
There is already substantial interest in Alice. Cape Air and Global Crossing Airlines, two US-based regional airlines, have placed orders for 75 and 50 aircrafts respectively. Eviation has also got its first cargo customer, with DHL Express ordering 12 Alice eCargo planes.
Geoff Kehr, Senior Vice President, Global Air Fleet Management, DHL Express, said: “The first flight of Alice confirms our belief that the era of sustainable aviation is here. With our order of 12 Alice eCargo planes, we are investing towards our overall goal of zero-emissions logistics.
“DHL is the industry leader by introducing new and more sustainable cargo aircraft types to the global market. Alice is the true game-changer by enabling long-distance air transport for the first time with zero emissions. This historic flight marks a significant milestone on our journey to ultimately achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Designed by engineers in Washington state and Israel, the name Alice is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
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