🔎 What’s going on?
First successful maiden flight for the world’s largest 100% electric aircraft.
🛩 Cool, tell me more!
Retrofitted by AeroTec, with an electric engine from engine maker, magniX - this is the world’s largest all-electric aircraft. The aircraft can carry 9 passengers and flew for a historic 30 minutes on Thursday. This is a significant milestone for the aviation sector given the sizeable amount of emissions the sector generates. MagniX hopes to have commercial aircrafts flying from 2021 with a range of 100 miles.
The best part about going all-electric - cutting costs! According to magniX, electric aviation will enable up to 80% lower cost per flight. The Cessna Caravan model being tested by magniX is one of the world’s most used medium-range planes, with more than 2,600 operating in 100 countries.
❓ Why should I care?
Aviation creates 4.9% of all global carbon emissions. Before the Coronavirus pandemic, aviation was one of the fastest rising sources of transport carbon emissions.
🚦 Where do we need to be?
Plenty of companies are now actively working on developing 100% electric aircraft, but more innovation needs to occur for aerospace ready battery solutions. The lighter and longer-lasting batteries can be, the larger aircrafts can start making their way towards becoming 100% electric.
👤 What can I do about it?
Until these all-electric aircrafts’ become available commercially, there are two next best solutions: don’t fly if it’s possible for you and if you have to take a flight, then offset it. Check out ClimateCare carbon calculator to work out your emissions and then offset it.
45% of all airline flights are less than 500 miles. This means that for the majority of people, swapping out a short flight with a train, a car or even a ship could be very real options.