After electrifying cars, bicycles, motorbikes, and even boats, the next logical step for humanity is to gaze at the sky. This is already happening as the aircraft industry is already working on battery-powered airplanes. Unsurprisingly, the electrification effort is spearheaded by startups that want to disrupt the aviation sector!
Electric airplanes have similar benefits to electric vehicles as they eliminate pollution, reduce the total cost of ownership, and work noiselessly. Here, we have compiled a list of our best upcoming electric airplanes!
The Joby S4
This electric plane is 21 ft long and uses a system of six tilting propellers to take off like a helicopter. There is room for four passengers aboard the Joby S4, excluding the pilot. It can fly for 150 miles before the battery runs out, at a maximum speed of 200 mph. The manufacturer deliberately used large windows so that passengers could gaze at the sky. Joby plans to use the airplane in its own air-taxi operation, so it might not be offered for sale.
The Eviation Alice
The Alice, designed by Eviation, is 17.09 m long, with a wingspan of 18 m. This electric airplane is quite roomy and will take nine passengers in addition to two crew members. Propulsion is supported by an 820 kWh battery that lasts 440 nautical miles. Top speed is 220 knots. The interior is plush as it is targeted at the elite. Eviation is looking at a 2023 first production but already has a 150-person queue.
The Volocity
This electric airplane takes off without a runway, meaning it is a proper VTOL. It has a system of 18 propellers attached to 18 electric motors, powerful enough to reach 68 mph. However, the flying range is limited to 22 miles.
The Volocity carries only two passengers, and you will book a flight through an app.
The Ehang 216
The Ehang only seats two people at a time. It is 5.61 m and 1.77 m tall. Flights will last 21 minutes before you have to charge the battery. However, charging the battery is very fast. One nice feature of the Ehang electric airplane is that it can pilot itself after you input your destination. It will also land itself on the nearest surface if there is any emergency mid-flight.
The Alpha Electro
The Alpha Electro electric airplane is inexpensive and costs ridiculously low to operate. The 21 ft plane relies on a 60 kW electric motor that rotates a tri-blade propeller measuring 1.64 m in diameter. The battery is quite limited but can be charged fully under an hour or swapped with a fully charged one. The Alpha Electro, however, is meant for training pilots.
