Electric Aviation Group has today unveiled a brand new aircraft design which is to become the world's first hybrid-electric aircraft with capacity for 70+ people. This is a revolutionary design and one that will be required over the coming years as airlines head towards more sustainable operations.
A rendering of the new hybrid-electric aircraft designed by Electric Aviation Group. Photo by Electric Aviation Group.
In its attempt to 'solve the challenges of decarbonisation and mass transportation,' the company's design features much lower noise levels compared to current-generation aircraft. Interestingly, the company wants to implement a 'cabin-flex design' which will allow for passenger operations by day and cargo operations by night.
The UK-based engineering and development firm says the design will allow operators to switch the plane to 'an all-electric or carbon-neutral as the battery density improves or alternative fuels and associated powertrain technologies mature and become affordable'.
Finally, the design incorporates technology such as a Gear Assisted Take-Off Run (GATOR) and, coupled with its Short take-off-and-landing (STOL) performance, this will reduce energy consumption and to give operators greater flexibility in terms of the destinations they operate to.
Kamran Iqbal, founder and CEO at EAG said: "Significant investments have been raised to develop sub-19 seat hybrid and all-electric aircraft which we believe is the wrong strategy. These small planes cannot meet the demands of mass air transportation or the requirements of decarbonisation."
Iqbal continued: "Our design is for an aircraft that will initially offer 800 nautical miles range at launch in 2028, and which will be able to carry over 70 people. We will be a first mover in what is a $4.4 trillion market."
The latest announcement coincides with the launch of FIA Connect, the virtual Farnborough Airshow today. With the first aircraft expected to enter into service as early as 2028, is this a viable project?
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