Electric Commuter planes in Hawaii by 2024?

(Above rendering of electric commuter plane by Eviation)

Although it was once believed that it would take many years to develop electric powered airplanes – new technologies are changing that perception fast. In an article in the Seattle Times, Eviation  a Seattle start up has announced that they expect be flying electric powered commuter airplanes this year and hope to put them into service by 2024. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/all-electric-commuter-plane-will-fly-this-year-arlington-based-startup-says

They will be flying specially designed lithium battery powered aircraft with electric engines made by MagniX; an electric plane engine start-up company. The planes will have a crew of two and be capable of flying 9 passengers a range of 500 miles. If this is to be the case this would be a great energy saver for feeder airlines in Hawaii and regional carriers throughout the US.

They are said to have a commitment from Cape Air which flies between Cape Cod and Nantucket and other nearby locations.

The costs of running their airplane are estimated to be about $200 per flight as opposed to $1000 per flight by turboprops. The planes will take longer to get to their destinations. They are estimated to have a cruising speed of 276 mph about half the speed of conventional airplane fuel powered airplanes.