iLondon - A near-silent and pollution-free electric aircraft is to be unveiled at the Paris Air Show.
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus will be flying its battery-powered E-Fan 2.0 prototype, which can reach 136mph (about 219khp), and is being described as a step towards “electrifying the skies”.
Weighing less than half a ton, the two-seater aircraft can fly for around an hour, and can be fully re-charged within 90 minutes.
The aircraft is CO2 emission-free and nearly silent when it flies. The plan is for the plane to be available to buy by around the end of 2017 or early 2018. A larger, four-seat E-Fan 4.0 is scheduled to go on sale in 2019. Airbus’s long-term plan is to be able to produce electric airliners and helicopters for regional flights around the world.
undefinedBut the team ultimately hope to produce a 100-seat electric aircraft, although they say this might not be achievable until 2050. At the Paris show, the 2.0 prototype will participate in flying displays and a full-scale model will also be on display at the firm’s stand. Airbus plans to invest around £15-million in the E-Fan’s design and development.
An Airbus spokesperson said: “The future of air transportation is being reshaped by the E-Fan.
“This highly innovative aircraft will be the world’s first production electric plane – opening the way for a new era in air transportation that is environmentally friendly and highly efficient.”
They added: “By advancing the E-Fan, Airbus and its partners are bringing the advantages of electric aircraft into daily use – creating a future for aviation with less emissions, lower noise levels and higher efficiency. The long-range goal is to develop the technology for 100-seat regional airliners and helicopters.”
Daily Mail