First test flight of largest all-electric aircraft used just $5 of electricity

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First test flight of largest all-electric aircraft used just $5 of electricity

Ars Technica · 4 hours ago

Heart Aerospace has completed the first test flight of its X1 demonstrator, described as the largest battery-electric aircraft yet flown. The nearly 30-minute flight reportedly used about $5 of electricity, highlighting the potential for quieter, lower-emission aviation with less exposure to volatile jet-fuel prices.

The four-motor aircraft has a maximum take-off weight above 25,000 pounds and delivered more than one megawatt of power during the flight. Heart is not planning to sell an all-electric version because current batteries limit range to roughly 100–200 miles; instead, the tests will inform its planned 30-seat ES-30 hybrid aircraft, designed for 125 miles on electric power and up to 500 miles in hybrid mode, with commercial service targeted for 2031.

  • Heart’s large electric demonstrator completed a nearly 30-minute maiden flight.
  • The test reportedly consumed only about $5 of electricity.
  • Its technology will support a planned hybrid regional airliner.

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