‘Fully electric’ plane: The electric regional aircraft designed by Dutch startup Elysian is shown in this render. According to the company, the aircraft will have a 500-mile range.
“Many experts say you need battery technology beyond [anything that will be available until] 2050 to get reasonable range and payload capability,” stated Reynard de Vries, director of design and engineering at Elysian, as quoted by CNN.
The E9X won’t need to be upgraded or modified because it will be made to fit in smoothly with the current airport infrastructure. However, because charging batteries takes longer than refueling, turnaround times could be difficult. Our current goal is a maximum charging time of 45 minutes, which would need a little longer turnaround time than certain airlines—particularly the low-cost carriers—are accustomed to. However, that’s the maximum amount of time; the typical duration will be about 30 minutes.
With aspirations for an electric regional aircraft, Dutch startup Elysian is upending conventional wisdom. To go into commercial operation soon, this aircraft will have a range of 500 miles (805 kilometers), carry 90 passengers, and reduce emissions by 90%.
According to de Vries, rather than a significant breakthrough, the battery technology will be based on current improvements and anticipated breakthroughs over the next four or five years. He observes, “That opens up different scenarios.” According to the most cautious estimate, the useful range is 300 miles (482 kilometers), but we think 500 miles is a more feasible goal for four years from now.
Despite being able to accommodate more than twice as many passengers as a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, the E9X will have eight propeller engines and a wingspan of about 138 feet (42 meters). According to CNN, de Vries believes that the E9X’s smaller fuselage improves both structural integrity and aerodynamic efficiency.
(With inputs from agencies)