(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.