Elysian makes strides with EV-powered aircraft capable of carrying 90 passengers
10.01.2024 - 20:31
/ venturebeat.com
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Elysian announced an electric battery-powered aircraft capable of carrying 90 passengers today.
Unveiled at the Scitech 2024 show, Elysian aims to revolutionize air travel with electrification. The company is collaborating with Delft University of Technology, to redefine the aviation industry’s sustainability standards at the conference. The company has raised $10 million so far.
Coming out of stealth mode, the company said it plans to develop a battery-electric aircraft capable of accommodating 90 passengers, based on pioneering design principles. The research indicates a plane could travel up to 800 kilometers solely on battery power, with a battery pack energy density of 360 Wh/kg.
This news challenges the perception of battery-electric flying as suitable only for smaller aircraft and short distances.
Key findings indicate that flights up to 1,000 kilometers, accounting for 50% of all scheduled flights, contribute significantly to aviation-related carbon dioxide emissions. However, Elysian’s proposed aircraft design could potentially mitigate this environmental impact, making it an economically viable and competitive solution.
The new design principles focus on critical parameters, showcasing the feasibility of battery-electric aircraft capable of carrying 40 to 120 passengers across ideal distances. Utilizing innovative concepts such as span loading, low-wing configuration, and capitalizing on the intrinsic advantages of electric propulsion, the design aims to enhance efficiency while reducing drag and weight.
The company hopes the endeavor could significantly reduce the aviation industry’s ecological footprint, with projections indicating up to six times greater energy efficiency per passenger kilometer compared to other sustainable aircraft technologies.
Despite these promising findings, technical challenges remain, primarily concerning battery integration and thermal management. To address these hurdles, Elysian has forged partnerships with leading academic institutes, including Delft University of Technology, Twente University of Technology, National Lucht- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium (NLR), and Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR).
Elysian’s journey began with Rob Wolleswinkel’s vision in 2020 and gained momentum through aerospace investor Panta Holdings. Cofounders Daniel Rosen Jacobson and Reynard de Vries joined the initiative, leading to the establishment of Elysian in 2023.
Wolleswinkel, the co-CEO and CTO, brings extensive aerospace engineering expertise, having worked at Fokker Aircraft and the Royal Netherlands Airforce. Jacobson, the co-CEO and Chief