Before the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the aviation industry was one of the fastest-growing sources of carbon emissions driving a climate emergency. To curb this, scores of companies are developing electric aircraft, which is a breakthrough in this industry. These electric aircrafts run purely on electric power and can fly significant distances. The other options in consideration are biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells.
Electric aircraft’s future of the aviation industry
As per a new report on the Electric Aircraft Market, the electric aircraft market is estimated to grow from $99.3M in 2018 to $121.8M by 2023. This growth in the electric aircraft market is attributed to the advantages of electric aircraft over the conventional ones and the ownership of such planes. The report further notes that Europe is expected to lead the electric aircraft market until 2023.
Given that Europe is all set to lead the electric aircraft market, here is a list of revolutionary all-electric aircraft in Europe right now as sourced from Dealroom.
Lilium (Germany)
Founder/s: Daniel Wiegand, Matthias Meiner, Patrick Nathen, Sebastian Born
Founded year: 2015
Funding: €342M
The all-electric Lilium Jet is a vertical take-off and landing vehicle. This aircraft delivers connections from the city centre to city centre at less than 1% of the cost of a high-speed rail link. Lilium Jet balances high-efficiency levels with a low noise footprint that enables inner-city operations. The 36 electric engines positioned across the airframe deliver distributed vectored thrust and lets the aircraft gain precision control at the challenging phases of flight. The Lilium Jet occupies four passengers and a pilot, and it has 60 minutes of flying time at a top speed of 300km/h.
Volocopter (Germany)
Founder/s: Alexander Zosel, Stephan Wolf.
Founded year: 2011
Funding: €160M
German aviation startup Volocopter developed products such as VoloCity, VoloPort, and VoloDrone. The fourth-generation eVTOL, VoloCity is the first aircraft designed by the company for commercial use. Notably, the other three aircraft were created for demonstration and testing purposes.
The VoloCity is an 18-rotor VTOL that features a range of around 35km at a top speed of 70mph. This aircraft can transport up to two people including backpacks, purses and briefcases, among other light luggage.
Aeromobil (Slovakia)
Founder/s: Juraj Vaculik
Founded year: 2010
Funding: €9M
AeroMobil is a real flying car that offers all that a car and an aircraft have to offer. With immense flexibility, it is possible to operate it on the road or air; the choice is yours. The exterior is highly aerodynamic, and there is attention towards its safety and control both on the ground and in the air the interior features a unique glass cockpit system in the aviation industry. The vehicle also incorporates the latest in-vehicle recovery ballistic parachutes that are designed to bring an airborne vehicle back to ground safely. AeroMobil has an available power of 224 kW, an estimated range of 100 km and a top speed of 160 kph.
Neva Aerospace (UK)
Founder/s: David Brotherton-Ratcliffe, Robert Vergnes
Founded year: 2013
Funding: €2.3M
Neva Aerospace is a world leader of VTOL Electric Ducted Fans (EDF). The switch to EDF is touted to pave the way for safety first collision tolerant drones. Back in 2017, Neva Aerospace announced their manned AirQuadOne Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) concept. The Artwork has a saddle for a single rider and two large fans at the front and rear, two mid-sized fans in each corner with the ability to rotate 90 degrees and four small fans as well.
Fly Nano Oy (Finland)
Founder/s: Kusti Kairikko, Aki Suokas, Mikki Korhonen
Founded year: 2010
Funding: €2.2M
Fly Nano Oy‘s electric aircraft for easy flying, FlyNano is 100% electric and weighs under 70kg. Weight under 70 kg. It is meant for anyone who has ever dreamt of flying. FlyNano delivers the highest power-to-weight ratio available in the market with a maximum power output of 32kW. The unique design concept with the handcrafted carbon composite body makes it lighter than air.
Neoptera Aero (UK)
Founder/s: Arnaud Didey
Founded year: 2018
Funding: NA
Neoptera Aero has been developing an eVTOL concept since 2017. The company’s latest offering, eOpter is a winged vertical take-off and landing civil light aircraft that can transport 2 to 5 passengers or equivalent payload. This electric aircraft relies on distributed electric propulsion that offers a fault-tolerant solution.
The eOpter concept offers the versatility of helicopters in vertical flight, the efficiency of an aircraft in horizontal flight and promises to improve safety in the air and on the ground and reduce acquisition and operating costs.
VRCO LTD (UK)
Founder/s: Michael Smith, Daniel Hayes
Founded year: 2015
Funding: NA
VRCO has a vision for an eVTOL that flies you sustainably door to door. The vertical take-off and landing initial craft will be capable of carrying 180kg or two people. It features detection and avoidance technology with safety measures, including a ballistic parachute and low altitude crash prevention systems. The company’s electric VTOL NeoXCraft will fly, drive on land and take off on the water. It will cruise at 210 mph for 60 minutes and a flying distance of 75 minutes at 120 km. This aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 450 kg including a payload of 180 kg or two passengers.
Main image picture credits: Lilium
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