UPSC Articles
Electric commercial aircraft
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Science & Technology
In News
- World’s first fully-electric commercial aircraft took its inaugural test flight in Vancouver, Canada.
- It involved a six-passenger aircraft fitted with an electric motor.
- Seattle-based Engineering firm magniX designed the plane’s motor and worked in partnership with Harbour Air.
- The push to electric could help slash carbon emissions in the high-polluting aviation sector.
- The technology would mean significant cost savings for airlines
- An aircraft like the one flown in Vancouver could only fly about 160km (100 miles) on lithium battery power. Still, electric aircraft that can travel long distances remain a big challenge for the sector.
- The e-plane has to be tested further to confirm it is reliable and safe. In addition, the electric motor must be approved and certified by regulators.
