A lot of time, effort and resources are being ploughed into electric vehicles on roads around the world.
The switch to electric is seen as a key part of climate goals, but aircraft are huge contributors to global emissions.
Now, a fully electric passenger plane has taken to the skies for the first time in a successful maiden voyage, marking a major step forward towards zero-emission aviation.
Alice is the electric prototype developed and built by US manufacturer Eviation Aircraft.
The aircraft took off from Grant County International Airport in Washington state and completed an eight-minute flight at an altitude of 3,500 feet (1,066 metres).
Eviation president and CEO Gregory Davis said that the “unforgettable first flight” marked a new era in aviation.
He added that the test flight let watchers know what “affordable, clean and sustainable aviation” looked and sounded like in an electric, fixed-wing aircraft.
He said that the breakthrough would lead innovation in sustainable aviation and help to shape passenger and cargo travel alike.
Alice is available in three variants for passenger and cargo transport
Alice is available in three different types and can carry both passengers and cargo.
The commuter variant can carry up to nine passengers, while the executive version carries six with a little more luxury and space.
The cargo variant has a cargo hold capacity of 450 cubic feet and is temperature controlled for optimal haulage conditions.
Every version also accommodates two crew members to operate the aircraft and attend to passengers’ needs.
The passenger versions can carry a maximum weight of 2,500lbs (1,100kg), while the cargo configuration can take an extra hundred pounds or so.
The aircraft can all fly at a maximum operating speed of around 260 knots (480kmph) using electric motors built by magniX and rated at 700 kW each.
Eviation said on its website that magniX had been selected by NASA to demonstrate electric propulsion technologies for the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration programme.
The aircraft feature an advanced digital flight deck with a fully electronic flight control system and touchscreen flight displays.
The company added that the aircraft released zero emissions, can operate at a fraction of the cost per mile compared to conventional aircraft of a similar size, and were significantly quieter.
This could allow the aircraft to operate in areas with noise restrictions.
DHL has ordered 12 of the cargo variants, while Cape Air and Global Crossing Airlines have ordered 125 Alice aircraft between them.
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