Siemens researchers have developed a new type of electric motor that delivers a continuous output of about 260 kW and weighs 50 kg. The new drive system, designed for a joint project of Siemens and Airbus to develop electrified aircraft, recently made its maiden flight in an Extra 330LE aerobatic airplane. “This day will change… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "electric aircraft"
Pratt & Whitney exec: Electric aircraft would require technological miracles
A Pratt & Whitney executive has explained something that even the most fanatical e-vangelist can see: full-size commercial airliners are not likely to become EVs any time soon. In a question-and-answer session with reporters this week, Alan Epstein, P&W’s VP of Technology and Environment, said that the company has investigated electric aircraft and determined that… Read more »
Airbus to produce electric aircraft, envisions hybrid regional airliner
The sky’s the limit for electrified transportation. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has a vision of a hybrid 80-90-seat regional airliner that would have high-density energy storage in the wings, and a kerosene or biofuel generator to quickly recharge the batteries on the ground or in flight. An electric-powered turboprop airliner could be operated at a… Read more »
Archer unveils its production electric VTOL aircraft
Archer Aviation, a manufacturer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has unveiled its production aircraft, Midnight. Midnight features a twelve-tilt-six configuration: it has six propellers tilted forward in cruise position to provide propulsion during forward flight, and all 12 of the aircraft’s propellers generate vertical lift during take-off and landing. According to Archer,… Read more »
Wright Electric proposes to convert BAe 146 regional aircraft to hydrogen or aluminum fuel cell drive
Electric aviation is in its infancy—as far as we know, no e-planes are yet carrying passengers in commercial service. However, several firms are rapidly developing electric aircraft—Rolls Royce, Bye Aerospace, Heart Aerospace and Eviation are developing battery-electric planes, while ZeroAvia is placing its bet on hydrogen fuel cells. California-based Wright Electric is taking what appears… Read more »
Eviation unveils production version of all-electric Alice aircraft, prepares for inaugural flight
Electric aircraft manufacturer Eviation Aircraft has unveiled the design for its Alice all-electric plane. The production configuration, optimized based on real-world lessons learned and customer feedback, will define Alice’s path to its first flight later this year, to be followed by certification and entry into service, which is expected in 2024. Alice, a nine-passenger, two-crew-member… Read more »
Leasing firm Avolon to buy up to 500 electric VTOL aircraft
Aircraft leasing company Avolon has placed an order for up to 500 electric eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace. The companies say the sale will introduce the ultra-short-haul aircraft category to commercial aviation. The two companies will collaborate throughout the development, certification and commercial roll-out of the VA-X4, a piloted, zero-emissions electric Vertical Take Off and… Read more »
UPS to purchase electric VTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies
UPS’s Flight Forward subsidiary plans to purchase electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Beta Technologies. The delivery giant will take delivery of the first ten aircraft beginning in 2024, with the option to purchase up to 150. Beta’s vehicle has a 1,400-pound cargo capacity and a range of 250 miles. UPS envisions that… Read more »
Archer partners with Fiat Chrysler to develop electric VTOL aircraft
Palo Alto-based Archer has teamed up with Fiat Chrysler (FCA) to develop electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with the intent of starting production in 2023. FCA has already collaborated on cockpit design elements of Archer’s first aircraft, which is expected to be unveiled early this year. Archer’s goal is to create a vertically… Read more »
Aircraft refueling vehicle goes electric
Passenger jets may be major consumers of fossil fuels, but the vehicles that refuel them need not be. Engineering firm Gaussin and oil giant Total, which supplies jet fuel to 280 airlines at 300 airports around the world, are jointly developing a fully electric aircraft refueller transporter (ART). The ART Full Elec (which could use… Read more »