The Future of Aviation: Elysian's Electric 90-Passenger Plane
Commercial aviation faces a monumental challenge in its quest to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Amid this struggle, Dutch startup Elysian is breaking new ground with its plan for a fully electric regional aircraft. Capable of flying 500 miles with 90 passengers, Elysian's design could revolutionize aviation and significantly reduce its environmental impact.
Commercial aviation faces a monumental challenge in its quest to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Amid this struggle, Dutch startup Elysian is breaking new ground with its plan for a fully electric regional aircraft. Capable of flying 500 miles with 90 passengers, Elysian's design could revolutionize aviation and significantly reduce its environmental impact.
Overcoming Electrification Hurdles
The general consensus in the aviation industry is that battery technology must evolve substantially before electric passenger aircraft can become a reality. However, Elysian is pushing back against this notion. Reynard de Vries, Elysian’s director of design and engineering, states, “Many experts say you need battery technology beyond [anything that will be available until] 2050 to get reasonable range and payload capability. But we asked ourselves, ‘how do I get the maximum range for the battery technology that we already have?’”
Innovative Design
Elysian's aircraft, known as the E9X, is designed from scratch to maximize efficiency with current battery technology. Featuring eight propeller engines and a wingspan of almost 138 feet, the plane will have a high proportion of batteries and a much lower proportion of structural weight, enabling it to fly farther than many studies predict.
A collaboration with the Delft University of Technology has resulted in several innovative design choices:
Battery Placement: Batteries will be housed in the wings rather than the fuselage, optimizing weight distribution and lift.
Landing Gear: The landing gear will be located in the wings to save space.
Wingtips: The wingtips can fold up to save space at airports.
Achieving Efficiency
Despite using battery technology similar to what is available today, Elysian believes its aircraft will have a useful range of 500 miles within the next four years. The aircraft's design and operational strategies aim to lower its climate impact by 75% to 90% compared to current narrowbody jets, even when considering battery production and electricity use.
Challenges and Market Entry
Elysian’s aircraft will be designed to fit within current airport infrastructure without requiring significant adjustments. The main challenge will be the charging time for the batteries, with a target of 45 minutes for a full charge.
While the market is competitive, and the challenge of introducing new technology and infrastructure is daunting, Elysian is in discussions with various airlines. The aircraft could also serve secondary airfields that are currently underserved due to noise or emissions limitations.
Competitors and Market Viability
Elysian is not alone in the race to electrify aviation. Companies like ZeroAvia, Eviation, and Heart Aerospace are also developing electric aircraft with different capabilities and timelines. Elysian’s approach, however, focuses on reconfiguring existing technologies rather than relying on breakthroughs.
Gary Crichlow, an aviation analyst at AviationValues, notes the significant incumbency advantage that established manufacturers have. Elysian will need to overcome technological, infrastructure, and commercial challenges to succeed in this fiercely competitive market.
Elysian’s electric regional aircraft represents a promising step towards greener aviation. If successful, it could pave the way for more sustainable air travel and reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. However, the journey from concept to commercial viability is fraught with challenges, and only time will tell if Elysian can achieve its ambitious goals.