Ever since the Wright Brothers first flight in 1903. Aviation has fascinated us just a little bit more. Like Tesla with their electric cars. Those gas guzzling airplanes are not environmentally safe. Which is why we are in need of an electric aircraft manufacturer. That is the equivalent of Tesla.
A Seattle-based firm called MagniX has developed a fully electronic motor. To be retrofitted to a seaplane. With the first test flight scheduled to be in November. The engines will also power a 9-seater Alice plane. Manufactured by Eviation. The Israeli based start-up aims to be delivering commercially by 2022.
MagniX’s chief executive officer, Roei Ganzarski says “There’s only option is going to be electric propulsion.” MagniX will focus on powering the flights under 900 nautical miles. A category which comprised over 45% of all air travel last year. For the established manufacturers, such as Boeing and Airbus, investing in new electric technology is vital for survival. But for new players. It’s a chance to get ahead. Get known. Become an industry titan.
European-based Airbus has began to invest hundreds of millions of Euros in electric aircraft technology. Despite the backlog of orders for gas guzzling, carbon emitting jetliners being around 9 years. A fact reiterated by Glenn Llewellyn. The general manager for electrification at Airbus “Reducing CO2 emissions is an necessity.” He also stated that a failure to follow this could lead to those manufacturers being left behind when carbon-emissions regulators become stricter.
Are there any other electric aircraft being produced?
Airbus is currently in the process of developing an electric-hybrid aircraft with the help of Rolls-Royce, Siemens, and Cranfield University. With the first test flight scheduled for 2021. Although Llewellyn states that the technology won’t be viable for large commercial aircraft until at least the 2030’s.
There is also regulatory pressure. The European Aviation Safety Agency plans to start labelling aircraft based on their carbon emissions. Norway and Sweden aim to have all short-haul aircraft fully electric by 2040.
Only 20 years away. But it’s not just that. Manufacturers also see other applications for a fully electric aircraft. Multiple companies are aiming to be the first to bring flying taxis to a city near you. Which will be the first step.
Using much quieter electric propulsion systems as well as the possibility of using VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing). Much like an electric Harrier. Except less war… For the moment.
Airbus backed Vahana, German-based Lilium and US-based Bell Helicopter Inc. have all partnered with Uber to deliver flying taxis. With the aim to target congested journeys such as airport transfers in cities like: New York, London and Tokyo.
Is Boeing producing an electric aircraft of their own?
Meanwhile, Airbus’s main rival, Boeing is backing Seattle-based start-up Zunum Aero, who aim to bring small computer controlled electric-hybrid aircraft to market in the early 2020’s. As well as Aurora Flight Services who are targeting the air taxi market.
Yet, the aviation sector produces 2% of all emissions, for which, the large airlines and cargo aircraft produce the most. And for which, a fully electric propulsion system is at least 20-30 years away. Paul Everitt, CEO of ADS, says “Emissions from the aviation sector will have to fall slower than other industries due to ‘fundamental reality’ in the Industry.”
What is the industry doing in the mean time?
The industry’s main short-term contributions to reductions in carbon emissions will come with improvements in technology. Such as tweaks with pre-existing technology. Which reduce the weight of the aircraft. Every year, the aviation industry achieves a 1 or 2% fuel efficiency. That doesn’t sound like much. But it’s huge. Only when you think about it though.