Electric Planes: Are We There Yet? (Spoiler Alert: Not Really)
Image Credit: Heart Aerospace.
It feels like just yesterday we were promised flying cars, and here we are, still stuck in traffic. At least someone's trying to make flying a bit less, shall we say, noxious. Enter Heart Aerospace, a Swedish startup with a name that suggests they care about the environment (or maybe just good cardiovascular health). They're building something called the ES-30 - an all-electric airplane that wants to change the way we look at regional travel. That's the plan, anyway.
Something about the ES-30 really makes me sit up and pay attention. Is it the guilt-free flying? It doesn't matter, I'm all ears.
Image Credit: Heart Aerospace.
So, what do we know about this flying electric contraption? It's not exactly a jumbo jet. With a wingspan of 105 feet and a capacity of 30 passengers, it's more like a flying minivan. But sometimes bigger isn't always better. Especially when you're trying to navigate those "pocket airports" that Heart Aerospace is so keen on serving. You know, the ones with runways barely long enough to land a decent-sized paper airplane.
The ES-30 is designed to take off from strips as short as 3,609 feet, thanks to its high-torque electric motors and turbo propellers. That's shorter than the average runway at a major airport, which means this thing could potentially land in your backyard. Just kidding, please don't try that at home.
But here's the catch: the ES-30's all-electric range is a measly 124 miles. That's not even enough to get you from New York to Boston. So, you might want to pack a good book (or maybe a parachute).
Before you start throwing tomatoes, Heart Aerospace has thought of that. The ES-30 will also feature a hybrid system that extends its range to nearly 250 miles. That's still not exactly transatlantic, but it's enough to cover most regional routes. And it's better than nothing, right?
Of course, Heart Aerospace isn't the only player in the electric aviation game. There's also ZeroAvia, a Swiss company working on a hydrogen-electric hybrid amphibious aircraft. Because, you know, why fly when you can also float? And then there's the Elysian, a Dutch startup with a 1960s-inspired aircraft design that looks like something out of a decent retro sci-fi movie. They're aiming to carry 90 passengers in a battery-powered plane by 2033. Ambitious? Yes. Crazy? Probably. But who am I to judge?
Image Credit: Heart Aerospace.
Back to Heart Aerospace and their ES-30. They're planning to launch the commercial version in 2028, which gives them plenty of time to iron out any kinks. And there are bound to be kinks. After all, this is bleeding-edge technology we're talking about. But if they can pull it off, it could transform the aviation industry.
Can you imagine a world where you can fly from city to city without feeling guilty about your carbon footprint? The only noise you hear is the gentle hum of electric motors... A world where you can finally relax and enjoy the view without worrying about the environmental impact. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
In the meantime, if you're curious about the ES-30, you can always check it out in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Just don't expect it to fly any further than the real thing.
