scorecardOne of the newest electric planes of the future just took its first test flight— meet Alice
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One of the newest electric planes of the future just took its first test flight meet Alice

Taylor Rains   

One of the newest electric planes of the future just took its first test flight— meet Alice
Eviation
  • Israeli company Eviation is producing an all-new electric plane for the regional market.
  • The aircraft, known as Alice, has a range of 288 miles and can carry up to nine passengers.

Israel-based Eviation just conducted the first test flight of its new electric aircraft, nicknamed Alice.

Israel-based Eviation just conducted the first test flight of its new electric aircraft, nicknamed Alice.
Alice's first flight on September 27.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

On Tuesday, the plane flew for eight minutes at 3,500 feet and collected data that will help the company "further optimize the aircraft for commercial production."

On Tuesday, the plane flew for eight minutes at 3,500 feet and collected data that will help the company "further optimize the aircraft for commercial production."
Alice's first flight on September 27.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

"This ground-breaking milestone will lead innovation in sustainable air travel, and shape both passenger and cargo travel in the future," Eviation president and CEO Gregory Davis said in a press release.

"This ground-breaking milestone will lead innovation in sustainable air travel, and shape both passenger and cargo travel in the future," Eviation president and CEO Gregory Davis said in a press release.
Eviation

Source: Eviation

The one-of-kind aircraft, which is a "proof of concept" plane" will have zero emissions, reduce noise by 20% to 30%, and cost less to operate compared to light jets or planes powered by turbofans.

The one-of-kind aircraft, which is a "proof of concept" plane" will have zero emissions, reduce noise by 20% to 30%, and cost less to operate compared to light jets or planes powered by turbofans.
Eviation

Source: Eviation

Powered by two electric propulsion units from magniX, Alice can fly up to 288 miles at speeds of 260 knots and carry up to 2,500 pounds of cargo. According to the company, the magni650 is the "only flight-proven electric propulsion systems at this scale."

Powered by two electric propulsion units from magniX, Alice can fly up to 288 miles at speeds of 260 knots and carry up to 2,500 pounds of cargo. According to the company, the magni650 is the "only flight-proven electric propulsion systems at this scale."
Eviation

Source: Eviation

Other components include British aerospace company GKN's wings and Honeywell's fly-by-wire system, flight controls, and avionics. The plane is designed for two pilots.

Other components include British aerospace company GKN
Alice crew members.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

Eviation is creating three different Alice variants, including commuter, executive, and eCargo options, which are all identical except for the interior, according to the company.

Eviation is creating three different Alice variants, including commuter, executive, and eCargo options, which are all identical except for the interior, according to the company.
Eviation

Source: Eviation

The commuter variant is marketed toward commercial operators and is designed to carry up to nine people. So far, airlines like Cape Air and Florida's Global Crossing Airlines have ordered 75 and 50 Alice planes, respectively.

The commuter variant is marketed toward commercial operators and is designed to carry up to nine people. So far, airlines like Cape Air and Florida
Alice in Global Crossing Airlines livery.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

"We currently fly more than 400 regional flights per day, connecting more than 30 cities across the United States and Caribbean," Cape Air founder Dan Wolf said. "Alice can easily cover 80 percent of our flight operations, bringing sustainable, emission-free travel to the communities we serve."

"We currently fly more than 400 regional flights per day, connecting more than 30 cities across the United States and Caribbean," Cape Air founder Dan Wolf said. "Alice can easily cover 80 percent of our flight operations, bringing sustainable, emission-free travel to the communities we serve."
Alice taking off on September 27.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

Onboard Alice, commercial passengers will find wide seats with 32-inches of pitch, large overhead bins, and panoramic windows in a spacious cabin, which is the widest in its class.

Onboard Alice, commercial passengers will find wide seats with 32-inches of pitch, large overhead bins, and panoramic windows in a spacious cabin, which is the widest in its class.
Alice commuter interior.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

The business version will have several luxurious amenities, including a "state-of-the-art" galley, the biggest baggage compartments in its class, a large wardrobe, and comfortable loungers with retractable tables.

The business version will have several luxurious amenities, including a "state-of-the-art" galley, the biggest baggage compartments in its class, a large wardrobe, and comfortable loungers with retractable tables.
Executive interior cabin plan.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

The windowless eCargo option offers forward and aft loading doors and organized compartments for freight, which have the highest cargo-carrying capacity in Alice's class.

The windowless eCargo option offers forward and aft loading doors and organized compartments for freight, which have the highest cargo-carrying capacity in Alice
Eviation

Source: Eviation

DHL Express was the first cargo operator to purchase Alice, with 12 on order.

DHL Express was the first cargo operator to purchase Alice, with 12 on order.
Alice in DHL Express livery.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

"Alice is the true game-changer by enabling long-distance air transport for the first time with zero emissions," DHL Express' SVP of global air fleet management, Geoff Kehr, said.

"Alice is the true game-changer by enabling long-distance air transport for the first time with zero emissions," DHL Express
Interior of Alice as a DHL Express cargo plane.      Eviation

Source: Eviation

According to Eviation, Alice is built to target routes ranging from 150 to 250 nautical miles.

According to Eviation, Alice is built to target routes ranging from 150 to 250 nautical miles.
Eviation

Source: Eviation

Specifically, the company hopes to tap into airports with strict noise restrictions that many traditional aircraft cannot fly to.

Specifically, the company hopes to tap into airports with strict noise restrictions that many traditional aircraft cannot fly to.
Eviation

However, Eviation is hitting some snags. "The biggest technical challenge that Eviation has to overcome is the development of batteries," Davis told Leeham News. "We really do need the industry to boost the energy density."

However, Eviation is hitting some snags. "The biggest technical challenge that Eviation has to overcome is the development of batteries," Davis told Leeham News. "We really do need the industry to boost the energy density."
Alice at the Paris Air Show in 2019.      Michel Euler/AP

Source: Leeham

With the challenges, Davis said he expects Alice to receive certification by 2025 and enter the market by 2027.

With the challenges, Davis said he expects Alice to receive certification by 2025 and enter the market by 2027.
Business Wire

Source: Leeham

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