INVENTIVE ELECTRIC AIRPLANE CAN 90 PASSENGERS 500 MILES WITHOUT RECHARGING
Air travel has one of the highest carbon footprints of all modes of transportation, accounting for almost 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions. There are currently very few environmentally friendly flight options available to passengers thanks to the sustainable aviation sector, but this is beginning to change. Battery-powered aircraft were previously assumed to be a luxury only available for small planes, but a Dutch startup called Elysian is upending this belief by developing plans for the world's first electric passenger aircraft with 90 seats.
The E9X, as the plane is called, is designed by Elysian to be able to travel 500 miles between charges. The company hopes to have a working prototype up and running by 2030, and a full-scale model built within two to three years, even though it is currently only on paper.
With eight propeller engines and a wingspan that makes it marginally bigger than an Airbus A320 or a Boeing 737, the E9X may have an appearance that is completely different from what frequent travellers are accustomed to. In actuality, this would probably lead to the aeroplane having a smaller body, bigger wings, and a reduced propeller diameter, which could make it resemble vintage 1960s passenger aircraft.
When the E9X is finished, its carbon footprint maybe 75–90% less than that of similar fuel jets in use today. However, there are more advantages to electric flight than just environmental ones for passengers. Compared to fuel jets, the E9X should offer passengers a quieter flying experience because of the battery. In addition, Elysian seeks to address the problem of inadequate space for storing luggage so that passengers' comfort and well-being come first.
The Elysian team's main task at the moment is to shorten the amount of time it would take for a battery this size to charge. The goal is for it to take no more than 45 minutes to fully charge, but ideally, it would only take 30 minutes to ensure that it doesn't take as long as the typical refuelling procedure that many airlines are accustomed to.