By Dayna Fedy-MacDonald | May 11, 2023 Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 39 seconds.
Eviation on May 11 announced that it has received an order for 30 of its all-electric commuter aircraft, known as Alice, from U.K.-based regional aircraft lessor, MONTE — pushing the value of orders for the Alice past US$4 billion.
The Arlington, Washington-based manufacturer had announced in early November 2022 that the order book for the Alice surpassed the $2 billion mark. Just six months later, the value of orders for the nine-passenger electric aircraft has doubled.
In addition to the latest order from MONTE, Eviation has also received orders from U.S.-based Cape Air (75 aircraft), U.S.-based Global Crossing Airlines (50 aircraft), Germany-based EVIA AERO (25 aircraft), Australia’s Northern Territory Air Services (20 aircraft), Mexico-based Aerus (30 aircraft), Air New Zealand (up to 23 aircraft), and DHL Express for 12 Alice planes in the eCargo configuration.
“Passing the US$4 billion threshold is a significant marketplace endorsement for the Alice,” said Gregory Davis, president and CEO of Eviation. “We are thrilled to welcome MONTE as our latest customer, as they share our vision for a new era of sustainable, responsible aviation.”
Eviation’s sales director, Loic Questiaux, noted that the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently “warned that the planet is likely to pass the threshold of 1.5 C warming over pre-industrial temperatures by the early 2030s.”
Eviation is promoting the Alice as an innovation that confronts climate change.
The aircraft is powered by two magniX magni650 electric propulsion units and features an advanced battery system, allowing it to produce zero carbon emissions and cost “a fraction to operate per flight hour compared to light jets or high-end turboprops,” Eviation said.
With a maximum operating speed of 260 knots, the Alice is expected to operate flights ranging from 150 miles to 250 miles upon entry into service. However, the battery system is “endlessly upgradeable,” according to Eviation, meaning the range can be improved as battery technology evolves.
The nine-seat passenger version of the Alice has a max useful load of 2,500 pounds, while the eCargo version’s max useful load is 2,600 lbs. The Alice is also expected to be available in a six-passenger executive cabin configuration.
The aircraft achieved its maiden flight not long ago, in September 2022, at Grant County International Airport (MWH), where it flew for eight minutes — reaching an altitude of 3,500 feet and peaking at 147 knots before safely landing.
Eviation is currently working towards certification flight tests, where three aircraft will eventually join the flight test fleet. CEO Davis said the battery technology poses the greatest challenge in terms of certification, as there is currently no “unity between certification standards for the battery technology between the FAA and the assets.”
Eviation is hoping to begin its certification test program in or around 2025, with first deliveries to take place by 2027.
Almost 9 months passed from the first very short flight and nothing is known about the flight characteristics of the plane.
Lack of following flight testing is usually a sign of a fundamental problem and postponed certification date of 2027 will be postponed again.
Heart aircraft switched to hybrid propulsion and Eviation will be forced to do something about the hopeless batery technology progress.
An program update from Eviation is greatly anticipated.