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TRAVEL NEWS – 9 August 2024: Electric flying has been in the spotlight for years, but success has not been forthcoming. Promising startups have had to throw in the towel and prototypes have not yet achieved a breakthrough. However, Elysian, a Dutch startup, presents a revolutionary concept that offers hope for the future.

  • Dutch startup Elysian unveils plans for an electric plane for 90 people, with a range of 800 kilometers on a single charge.
  • The model, called E9X, has eight engines and is comparable in size to an Airbus A320.

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Elysian's vision of electric flight

The Dutch startup Elysian wants to turn this tide. They are developing a new electric aircraft, the E9X, that can transport 90 passengers up to 800 kilometers on a single battery charge. “The aviation industry is skeptical about large electric aircraft because of doubts about the future of battery technology,” said Daniel Rosen Jacobson, co-CEO of Elysian. To circumvent this challenge, Elysian has created a design that makes optimal use of current battery capacity.

E9X: Innovative design for maximum efficiency

The E9X concept, which is similar in size to an Airbus A320, is designed with larger wings and a sleeker fuselage than traditional aircraft. Instead of the usual two to four jet engines, the E9X has eight propeller engines powered by batteries in the wings. This design makes the aircraft lighter and more efficient. In addition, the wings are equipped with folding wingtips, which both improves aerodynamics and makes the aircraft suitable for existing airport gates.

Future vision and challenges

Although the E9X is currently still in the design phase, Elysian plans to present a prototype by 2030. Jacobson is optimistic that these types of aircraft can significantly reduce aviation CO2 emissions. “The E9X would make flying more attractive compared to other means of transport,” he says. In addition, Jacobson expects that the quieter engines will improve comfort during flights.

The Elysian website (click on the image to open the website)
The Elysian website (click on the image to open the website)

Challenges for electric aviation

Despite Elysian's ambitious plans, the reality is that previous attempts to make electric flight a reality have often failed. For example, both NASA and Rolls Royce have stopped their projects, and startups such as Kitty Hawk have also ended their electric aviation projects.

Skepticism about battery technology

Experts remain skeptical about current battery technology. Sophie Armanini, professor of Aerial Robotics at Imperial College London, emphasizes that current batteries are too heavy for the amount of energy they provide. As a result, electric propulsion is currently only feasible for small aircraft with a limited range.

Elysian is aware of these challenges, but sees opportunities with the E9X. Jacobson admits that the required charging capacity of 11 to 13 megawatts could be an obstacle. However, Elysian has been in contact with an energy company that can provide the infrastructure for this for less than 10 million euros.

Is electric flying closer than ever?

Elysian's E9X offers a hopeful perspective for the future of electric flying. Although many technical and logistical obstacles remain, Elysian believes their design could be a breakthrough in the aviation sector. Only time will tell whether it will really succeed, but the concept is already promising.

Source: elysianaircraft.com en Businessinsider.nl

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