Revolutionary moment in aviation history: First fully electric passenger aircraft successfully conducts test flight

The first fully electric passenger aircraft named "Alice", developed by Eviation Aircraft, conducted its historic test flight on September 27, 2022, taking off from Grant County International Airport in Washington. This marks a significant step towards sustainable and environmentally friendly air travel, representing a pioneering moment in aviation history that heralds a new era of electric mobility. During its eight-minute flight, Alice reached an altitude of 3,500 feet, enabling the collection of important data for further optimization of the aircraft for commercial purposes.

The President and CEO of Eviation, Gregory Davis, noted that this flight signifies the beginning of a new era in aviation: “Today we successfully electrified the sky. For the first time, people could see and hear what sustainable, clean, and economical air travel looks like in an electric aircraft with fixed wings.”

This aircraft is designed for both passenger and cargo transport and is available in several variants, including a nine-passenger commercial model, a luxury version with six seats for corporate use, and an eCargo model intended for freight transport. Alice utilizes two magni650 electric propulsion systems, developed by MagniX, while the airframe itself is constructed from advanced composite materials that make the aircraft lighter and more energy efficient.

A new future for regional air traffic

One of the main advantages of the Alice aircraft is the complete elimination of carbon dioxide emissions, while also reducing noise, which is a common barrier for commercial flights from smaller airports. For this reason, electric aircraft like Alice could significantly change the way we perceive regional flights, especially those in populated urban areas where noise poses a major problem.

The Alice aircraft is designed for flights with a range of 150 to 250 miles (approximately 240-400 kilometers), making it ideal for regional air routes. Companies like Cape Air and Global Crossing Airlines, which engage in regional air transport, have already ordered a total of 125 units of this aircraft, while DHL Express has ordered 12 units of the cargo model, aiming to establish the first electric express cargo air transport.

Technical characteristics and challenges before production

The Alice aircraft has a maximum speed of 260 knots (about 480 km/h) and can carry a useful load of up to 2,500 pounds (approximately 1,130 kg). Its advanced fly-by-wire system ensures reliability and redundancy, which is crucial for passenger safety. Despite the apparent progress, the production of the Alice aircraft faces challenges, especially in the battery technology segment, which still needs to evolve to enable greater range and better energy efficiency.

Eviation Aircraft had anticipated that Alice would be commercially available by 2024, but that timeline has been pushed back to 2027 due to various development challenges, including difficulties with components and the need for further testing. Despite the delay, there is already significant interest in this innovative aircraft, as evidenced by orders from several airlines looking to replace their existing fleets of older, less environmentally friendly aircraft.

Alice also comes with a flexible design that allows for adaptation to future needs. For example, its battery system can be easily upgraded as battery technology improves, and the aircraft uses an advanced energy management system that optimizes energy consumption during flight. Additionally, most of the aircraft's components are made from carbon fibers, contributing to a lighter and more economical flight.

Potential for cargo and commercial traffic

One of the main partners in this project is DHL, which sees great potential in this type of aircraft to reduce the carbon footprint of its services. As emphasized, the plan is for Alice aircraft to become part of DHL's ecological network of air cargo transport, significantly reducing emissions in air freight. DHL’s senior vice president Geoff Kehr stated, “Alice is a true game changer in air cargo transportation as it enables long-distance transport with zero emissions for the first time.”

Given that regional traffic is the main target for this model, Alice could initiate a whole series of changes in the aviation industry, allowing airlines to offer flights to smaller cities and populated areas that previously could not be served by commercial air transport due to noise regulations and the high maintenance costs of traditional aircraft.

Eviation Alice, as the first fully electric passenger aircraft, represents more than a technological achievement. It is a symbol of the shift towards sustainable development and a sign that air transport can align with the ecological standards of the future. With the support of industry partners like MagniX and AeroTEC, Eviation plans to continue developing and ensuring the commercial use of Alice aircraft, which will mark a milestone in global air transport and pave the way for the complete decarbonization of air travel.