First test flight of largest all-electric aircraft used just $5 of electricity
Heart Aerospace successfully completed the first test flight of its X1 all-electric demonstrator aircraft, which cost only $5 in electricity. The project aims to inform the development of future hybrid-electric commercial airliners.
Why it matters
This flight highlights the potential for electric propulsion to reduce aviation costs and carbon emissions, though commercial viability remains limited to short-range operations.
Mile-high battery club First test flight of largest all-electric aircraft used just $5 of electricity Airline-backed venture aims to develop a hybrid-electric commercial aircraft.
238 Heart Aerospace's X1 demonstrator is an all-electric aircraft. Its test flights will inform development of a hybrid-electric airliner. Credit: Heart Aerospace Heart Aerospace's X1 demonstrator is an all-electric aircraft. Its test flights will inform development of a hybrid-electric airliner. Credit: Heart Aerospace Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav The first flight of the largest battery-electric aircraft to take to the skies lasted nearly half an hour while costing just $5 of electricity. That aviation feat comes at a time when jet fuel prices have skyrocketed because of the US war with Iran.
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