Alice, The First Electric Passenger Airplane, Takes Off

The nine-passenger Alice can fly for up to an hour with battery technology similar to an electric car, a cell phone, and only 30 minutes of charging. Eviation has set a target range of 250 nautical miles based on the battery technology available today. Eviation stated that the Alice could fly approximately 440 nautical miles as recently as April. The maximum speed at which the plane can cruise is 250 knots or 287 miles an hour. A Boeing 737 can cruise at 588 miles an hour, while a Boeing 737 is capable of cruising at 250 knots.

Eviation was established in 2015 and has been driving Alice forward since then.

Eviation warns that this plan could change. However, the company plans to use the information from Tuesday’s flight to evaluate the next steps and deliver aircraft by 2027.

Davis stated that the aircraft had generated terabytes with its data acquisition systems. He said that they would review the data over the next few weeks to compare the performance of the aircraft to their models and analyze. “From there we’ll know what to do next.”

According to Eviation, the company expects to develop an FAA-certified aircraft by 2025. Then it will fly test for a year before it can deliver Alices. Eviation currently targets to enter Alice into service in 2027.

Prototypes of three versions of the Alice are currently in development: one for commuters, one for executives, and one that is specialized in cargo. The commuter configuration can hold nine passengers, two pilots, and 850 pounds of cargo. For a more spacious flight, the executive design offers six seats and a cargo plane that holds 450 cubic feet.

The journey Alice to take-off was not without difficulties. The delays caused by the delay of the flight meant that Alice would not fly before 2021. Eviation was hit by executive turnover, weather problems and delays that delayed testing. This resulted in delayed take-off dates and fleet launches. CapeAir, a commuter airline, is expected to have a fleet in service by 2023. It serves routes throughout Boston and Cape Cod. However, the purchase of Alices has been delayed. The plane will be purchased by DHL and Miami-based charter airline GlobalX.