The world’s first battery-powered airplane,
E-Fan, has just successfully completed its first flight in Bordeaux, France.
The small experimental aircraft is powered by 120 lithium-ion polymer batteries
and can fly up to 220kmph. According to its manufacturer, Toulouse-based Airbus,
an hour long commercial flight with the E-Fan could cost only $16, compared to
$55 for a flight in a petrol-powered plane of the same size.
Measuring little over 19 feet from nose to
tail and making slightly more noise than a hairdryer, E-Fan boasts a technology
that could revolutionize the aircraft industry. Its relatively low speed, small
size and the flight duration that is restricted to a few hours are some of the
obstacles in applying E-Fan’s technology to larger aircrafts. However, large
aircraft manufacturers have already expressed interest in developing the
technology further, which creates the possibility of making larger aircrafts
that would be powered by a hybrid system.
Sounds nice. I wonder how much energy went into manufacturing its' carbon fiber body and lithium batteries? Remember...Green is Keen but it ain't cheap!
ReplyDeleteits still a prototype version 2.0 E-Fan while development of the production version is expected to begin in June in a production facility near Bordeaux Airport ... The aircraft is expected to enter into service by 2017. Airbus plans to introduce a new four-seat E-Fan 4.0 version aircraft in the next two years.
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