China’s electric plane flies low to beat world rivals to market
The RX1E can fly 120km/h after just 90 minutes of charging, but will the first electric plane approved for commercial use really take off?
China has given the green light to the production of the world’s first electric aircraft for commercial use, state media has reported.
The two-seat RX1E aircraft, powered by a lithium battery and an electric motor, had been approved for production by civil aviation authorities and the government expected “strong market potential” due to its environmental friendliness, Xinhua reported.
The aircraft can fly 120km/h after just 90 minutes of charging, and the manufacturer has received 28 orders so far. It can put out as many as 100 units a year.
But other specs might dampen some of the excitement. The battery drains out as soon as 45 minutes into flying, and the plane can’t climb above 3,000 metres above sea level due to power and safety constraints.
According to previous media reports, the project was started from scratch but with strong government backing in 2012 and received commercial flight certification earlier this year. Such rapid development has left most other rivals in the dust.
But it’s not cheap. Together with the battery pack, the plane costs about 1 million yuan (HK$1.2 million). That could buy a few Teslas.