Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
Dutch startup plans electric airliner for up to 100 passengers
Dutch startup Elysian Aircraft is developing the E9X, a battery-powered commercial airliner.
Designed with researchers at Delft University of Technology, the plane would use batteries in its wings to power six propellers.
Elysian says it could carry up to 100 passengers for as far as 1,000 km, though its co-founder described an initial range of 800 km before a later increase to 1,000 km.
The company says that range could cover nearly half of scheduled passenger flights worldwide and potentially cut total in-flight emissions by 20%.
The plan targets a large share of global flights, as aviation contributes to climate change through carbon dioxide and other emissions.
Elysian has completed a second design review and flown a scaled demonstrator, and is working with KLM and Transavia on operational and commercial requirements.
The company aims to put the E9X into service in 2034, while aircraft lessor TrueNoord studies how it could be financed and commercially supported.
Dutch startup Elysian Aircraft is developing the E9X, a fully electric commercial airliner designed to carry up to 100 passengers.
The aircraft is designed to fly up to 1,000 kilometers, and Elysian says it could eventually serve nearly 50% of scheduled commercial passenger flights worldwide.
The company says the E9X could reduce total in-flight emissions by 20% when it enters service.
The aircraft was designed with researchers at Delft University of Technology, and Elysian has flown a scaled demonstrator with Germany’s DLR aerospace research center.
Elysian is working with KLM, Transavia and aircraft lessor TrueNoord on operational and commercial requirements.
- Who
- Dutch startup Elysian Aircraft is developing the E9X.
- What
- It plans a fully electric airliner for up to 100 passengers and a range of up to 1,000 kilometers.
- When
- Elysian says the aircraft could enter service in 2034.
- Where
- The startup is Dutch; the aircraft was designed with researchers at Delft University of Technology.
- Why
- The company says the aircraft could cut aviation emissions and serve a large share of commercial passenger flights.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Electrek reported that Elysian was developing the E9X and targeted service in 2034.
Elysian says the E9X could enter service.
- Aircraft
- E9X
- Passenger capacity
- Up to 100
- Designed range
- Up to 1,000 kilometers
- Target service year
- 2034
- Potential share of scheduled commercial flights
- Nearly 50%
What people are saying
By being able to transport 90 passengers for initially 800 kilometers and eventually 1,000 kilometers you can reduce emissions to zero, from half the world’s flights.