WE DON’T QUITE HAVE LIFT OFF, but we do have taxiing. One of the most advanced eco-planes in the world hit the runway last month ahead of its first test flight this spring and a planned attempt at setting a world speed record for an electric aircraft.
The Spirit of Innovation manoeuvred along the runway under its own power for the first time, signalling a crucial step forward for the project, which has been underway since 2019. Using a bank of 6000 cells, the battery feeds energy to a 500hp electric powertrain allowing the plane to reach a speed of 300mph and a range of 200 miles. The project is being led by Rolls Royce as part of the Accelerating the Electrification of Flight (ACCEL) programme. It is working with Electroflight, a Gloucestershire-based start-up firm which specialises in electric powertrains. The project is part funded by the Department of Business.