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posted by
martyb
on Friday March 24 2017, @03:57AM
from the solar-cells+dirigible+batteries+propellers dept.
from the solar-cells+dirigible+batteries+propellers dept.
A new start-up says it intends to offer an electric-powered commercial flight from London to Paris in 10 years.
Its plane, yet to go into development, would carry 150 people on journeys of less than 300 miles.
Wright Electric said by removing the need for jet fuel, the price of travel could drop dramatically.
British low-cost airline Easyjet has expressed its interest in the technology.
"Easyjet has had discussions with Wright Electric and is actively providing an airline operator's perspective on the development of this exciting technology," the airline told the BBC.
Vaporware, but the expression of intent is interesting.
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London-Paris Electric Flight 'in Decade'
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For recreational use only.
(Score: 1) by jrmcferren on Friday March 24 2017, @05:45PM (1 child)
The goal wouldn't be to recharge in 20 minutes, especially not at first. They can do a few things. They can offer electric as a budget option flying infrequently, or they could design the plane to have the battery modules easily swapped. If the latter is the case, all Easyjet would need to do is have enough battery modules (plus some spares of course) to last a day of flight operations. The batteries can then be recharged during off peak hours saving Easyjet even more money.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday March 24 2017, @06:01PM
Reliably swapping giant batteries?
Buying many giant batteries?
Yup, that's a total non-starter as a commercial thing.
And it's green tech, so it's a total non-starter a a USG thing.
Go ask the Chinese government if they want a way-ahead-of-its-time prestige proto...