Compact, Quiet Commuter Electric Plane Undergoes Testing For Maiden Flight
As the future of transport moves towards electrification, aviation has been determined not to be left behind. Electric planes are being designed, planned for, and tested by startups and well-established firms alike.
Observer reports that the ‘Alice’ commuter plane, an all-electric aircraft designed by Eviation Aircraft, was spotted at the Arlington Municipal Airport, north of Seattle. There, it appeared to be undergoing engine tests to prepare for a high-speed taxi test.
This aircraft, which Eviation claims is the world’s first all-electric commuter jet, will be able to seat up to nine passengers alongside a crew of two.
Comfortably wide seating can be expected during the commute, with large windows making air travel a little less claustrophobic and a spacious baggage compartment.
Apart from the ‘commuter’ configuration, Alice can also be reworked to adapt to passengers’ needs. Another available mode is ‘executive’, which transforms the space into something more similar to business class in a traditional plane.
There’s also ‘cargo’, which offers up a temperature-controlled cargo bay spanning roughly 450 cubic feet.
A press release from Eviation details Alice’s cabin being less noisy “by a factor of more than 100 during takeoff and cruise” when compared to jet-fuelled aircraft. It also has a range of 440 nautical miles, 250 knots in typical cruise speed, and a payload of 2,500 pounds.
Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay states that the company is “shaping the future of travel through electric aviation,” and it’s “thrilling” to be able to offer a glimpse of the future in travel.
The firm has plans to deliver Alice in 2026.
December 17th, 1903 was a historic day as the wright brothers changed the world forever with the first powered flight.
— Omer Bar-Yohay (@YohayBar) December 19, 2021
We just taxied Alice yesterday... no big deal.@EviationAero pic.twitter.com/UpxgaErHyA
[via Observer and Aviation Today, images via Eviation]
