The world's largest battery-powered electric plane made its first flight in the U.S.
Heart Aerospace’s X1 electric aircraft prototype conducted its first test flight on August 12 at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York State. The flight lasted nearly half an hour, and the cost of electricity was about $5, according to Ars Technica.
The X1 is described as the largest battery-powered aircraft ever to take to the skies. In terms of size, it is comparable to a small regional jet. The aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight exceeds 25,000 pounds, and it is powered by four electric motors mounted on the wings. During the maiden flight, the battery-powered propulsion system generated over 1 megawatt of power.
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Heart Aerospace does not plan to put the X1 into commercial service. Testing of this aircraft and the planned X2 are intended to help develop the 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft ES-30. According to Ars Technica, current all-electric systems typically allow flights of only about 100–200 miles.
The ES-30 project features two internal electric motors and turboprop engines powered by jet fuel. According to the company’s plans, the aircraft will be able to travel up to 125 miles on electric power alone and up to 500 miles in hybrid mode. United Airlines has committed to purchasing 100 such aircraft in the future, and United Airlines, Air Canada, and Mesa Air Group have also invested in the development of the ES-30. Heart Aerospace plans to begin flight testing of a pre-production ES-30 in 2028 and obtain certification to begin commercial operations by 2031.
