"Flew for 8 Minutes"... Is the Era of Electric Aircraft Coming After Electric Cars?

"World's First Pure Electric Aircraft"

(Photo by CNN Business)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Israeli electric aircraft manufacturer Eviation Aircraft's small electric aircraft 'Alice' has successfully completed its first flight, CNN Business reported on the 27th (local time).

According to the report, Alice took off at 7:10 a.m. from Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, and flew for 8 minutes at an altitude of 3,500 feet (approximately 1,668 meters).

Alice is a pure electric aircraft powered by electric motors and batteries, similar to electric cars. It can fly about 440 nautical miles (approximately 815 km) with a 30-minute charge, and its maximum cruising speed is 250 knots (287 mph), about half the speed of a Boeing 737 (588 mph).

CNN Business stated that Alice is the world's first pure electric aircraft to successfully complete a test flight.

Gregory Davis, CEO, said, "Since the transition from piston engines to turbine engines, we have never seen a change in flight propulsion technology," adding, "This groundbreaking change will lead sustainable innovation in passenger and cargo travel."

Alice has been developed in three models: a commercial commuter aircraft that can carry 9 passengers plus 2 crew members, a private jet with a total of 6 premium seats offering more personal space, and a cargo aircraft capable of carrying up to 2,500 pounds (approximately 1,130 kg) of freight.

Alice plans to undergo certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2025 and begin deliveries of orders starting in 2027.

Previously, regional U.S. airline Cape Air and Miami-based Global Crossing Airlines ordered 75 and 50 passenger aircraft respectively, while DHL Express ordered 12 cargo aircraft.

Don Wolf, founder and chairman of Cape Air, said, "The successful first flight of Alice will be a new milestone for the global aviation industry," adding, "We plan to deploy Alice aircraft on 80% of the 400 flights connecting more than 30 cities across the U.S. and South America."

Alice was first unveiled at the 2019 Paris Air Show and aimed for commercialization last year, but CNN Business reported that the commercialization timeline was delayed due to key executive departures and test flight cancellations caused by bad weather.

In the current electric aircraft market, competitors include Hart Aerospace and Wright Electric alongside Eviation. Sweden's Hart Aerospace, invested in by United Airlines, is developing a 19-seat aircraft targeting test flights in 2024, while U.S.-based Wright Electric has announced the 'Wright Spirit,' a 100-seat aircraft for short-haul routes, aiming for commercialization in 2026.