Innovation website sifted.eu has reported the successful development of an all-electric aircraft for domestic flights, by Swedish start-up, Heart Aerospace.
The company recently unveiled its electric drivetrain and battery technology for short-haul flights. The plan is to build 19-seater aircraft that could provide short-haul air travel under 2 000km — and if everything goes according to plan, the company will be certified for commercial operations by 2025.
Sweden has committed to make all domestic flights fossil-fuel-free by 2030 and Norway has pledged to make all domestic flights 100% electric by 2040. “The interesting thing about the airlines in the Nordics, and especially in Norway, is that they need this,” says Anders Forslund, Heart Aerospace founder. “It’s not something they can opt out of, so they want to be proactive about it, and I think that’s one of the reasons they’re so supportive.”
Eight airlines have already expressed an interest in purchasing electric 147 aircraft worth approximately €1,1bn (R21,86bn).
