Several startups are racing to take electric planes into the sky, but some are closer to achieving this goal than others. One such leader is Eviation, which has already started taking orders for its zero-emission all-electric Alice aircraft. However, the certification challenges mean that it will most likely be several years before we can fly on an Alice plane.
The most recent order comes from UrbanLink Air Mobility, a South Florida company that is doubling down on its urban aviation electrification program. The first order was for 10 nine-seater versions of the Alice, with 10 more to be ordered in the future. This marks a significant step towards the company's goal of establishing an all-electric mobility network in hub cities such as Miami, Los Angeles and San Juan.
The Alice plane's 57-foot fuselage houses a battery pack weighing up to 8000 pounds, which allows for a flight range of up to 440 nautical miles. While its cruise speed of 287 mph won't break any land speed records, it can provide a smooth, eco-friendly journey for short commutes under 500 miles. According to Eviation, passengers can also expect a "significantly quieter" experience, away from the roar of the internal combustion engine.
The USS Alice completed its first test flight in September 2022, taking off from Grant County International Airport in Washington. In an eight-minute flight, it reached an altitude of 3500 feet. This milestone comes about seven years after R&D work began in 2015.
"Our order of 10 Eviation Alice aircraft completes the third phase of our all-electric operations plan, giving us the ability to deliver nine-seat zero-emission flights across the network," said UrbanLink founder and chairman Ed Wegel. "Together with our regional eVTOL aircraft and electric seagoing vessels, we will provide seamless, sustainable travel options in the regions we serve, laying the foundation for a fully integrated, eco-friendly travel experience."
Andre Stein, CEO of Eviation, celebrated the deal, calling it "an important milestone in our shared vision to create a sustainable and efficient transportation network."
However, Alice still faces several key hurdles before she can take to the skies on a large scale. In July, Stein announced that the company expects the aircraft to be certified around 2028. This timeline is a delay from earlier predictions that Eviation would test fly a production-ready prototype by 2025 and be fully certified within the next two years.
Companies such as New Zealand Airlines, DHL and Cape Air have secured more than 600 orders worth $5 billion, and the momentum seems to be getting better.
In addition to Eviation, Joby Aviation has also made great strides in the field of electric aviation. While Joby focuses on all-electric aircraft, it recently completed a groundbreaking 523-mile flight across California, using a new hydrogen variant.