Eviation's New Era: Introducing the Redesigned Alice Electric Airplane
Eviation has recently introduced a redesigned version of its Alice all-electric commuter airplane, showcasing significant enhancements under its new leadership. This redesign follows a strategic collaboration with TLG Aerospace, a Seattle-based engineering firm, initiated to refine the aircraft's design after its initial test flight in September 2022. The Alice airplane, known for its electric propulsion, is poised to redefine standards in electric aviation by focusing on efficiency and sustainability.
New renderings of the Alice reveal a crucial modification—the fuselage now boasts a constant cross-section, a departure from the earlier tapered, ellipse-shaped design. This change, while maintaining a similar appearance to the previous model, brings significant benefits. It simplifies the manufacturing and maintenance processes, facilitates future upgrades or the introduction of new variants, and allows for more effortless scalability and adaptability in production.
The aircraft's design enhancements include enlarging the wings and control surfaces to accommodate a higher maximum takeoff weight. This modification is integral to including a larger battery compartment strategically located within the fuselage for optimal balance and accessibility. The centralized battery placement is designed to be flexible, accommodating future advancements in battery technology that may alter the battery's size and shape.
Internally, the Alice has undergone a reconfiguration to optimize space more effectively. A notable addition is the inclusion of overhead bin space for luggage storage, a feature commonly found in larger airliners but rare in smaller commuter planes. This enhancement, driven by Eviation's customer advisory board feedback, is a testament to the company's commitment to passenger convenience and its alignment with commercial airline standards.
Performance-wise, the Alice is engineered to carry nine passengers or up to 2,500 pounds of payload over distances up to 250 nautical miles (nm). Initially projected to have a range of 440 nm, this estimate was adjusted to reflect current battery technology capabilities and the need for additional energy reserves.
Eviation has garnered significant market interest, boasting a backlog of prospective sales exceeding $5 billion. This interest is backed by firm but refundable deposits from a diverse group of customers, including DHL Express, Flyvbird, Solyu, Monte, Cape Air, Northern Territory Air Service, Air New Zealand, Aerus, Evia Aero, and GlobalX. This broad customer base underscores the market's confidence in Eviation's innovative approach to electric air travel and its potential to revolutionize regional aviation sustainably.