Eviation Alice

The prototype at the June 2019 Paris Air Show featured a single pusher propeller and twin wingtip motors, a V-tail, and a taildragger landing gear

Eviation was founded in 2015 by Omer Bar-Yohay, Omri Regev and Aviv Tzidon.[3] Risk-sharing partnerships have enabled work to go ahead.[4]

In February 2018, a 650 lb (290 kg) scale model UAV was flown to validate the aerodynamics and flight controls.[4] Kokam was selected to supply pouch lithium polymer batteries to power the full-scale prototype.[4] Work on the power system and drive train was begun.[4][5] Eviation teamed up with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) to launch a research and development program in the spring of 2019 at ERAU’s Prescott, Arizona campus.[6] The program would focus on performance analysis, validation and testing, along with preliminary design and sub-scale testing of future electric propulsion and airframe design concepts.[6]

By early 2019, Eviation had secured $200 million of investment to cover certification and production while the first prototype was assembled in Vannes, northwest France.[7] In April 2019, Eviation selected MagniX Magni250s 375 shp (280 kW) electric motors turning at 1,900 rpm as an alternative power option to Siemens 260 kW motors.[8]

At the June 2019 Paris Air Show, a full-size static Alice was exhibited.[9] The first airline customer was announced: Hyannis, Massachusetts-based Cape Air.[10] Cape Air ordered 92 aircraft, priced at $4 million each.[11] MagniX investor Clermont Group from Singapore took a 70% stake in Eviation Aircraft in August 2019.[12] By October 2019, over 150 Alice aircraft had been ordered by two American companies.[13] Further investment of $500 million was still needed to begin serial production.[13]

On 22 January 2020, a fire broke out and the prototype was destroyed.[14][15] No one was injured.[16] The fire broke out in an under-floor battery compartment located in the "operator/passenger area".[17] On 18 May 2020, GKN Aerospace announced their partnership with Eviation on the design and manufacture of the wing, empennage and electrical wiring interconnection system of subsequent Alice airframes.[18] By December 2020, Eviation expected to fly a modified Alice design in 2021, with the wing-tip motors relocated, before certification in the second half of 2023.[2]

In July 2021, Eviation unveiled the updated configuration with a T-tail and two 850 hp (634 kW) Magni650 electric powerplants on each side of the aft fuselage, aiming for a first flight the same year.[19] It should cruise at 220 kn (407 km/h, down from 240 kn), have 440 nmi range, 100 nmi (185 km) less than previously, be powered by an 820 kWh lithium-ion battery weighing 3,720kg (8,200lb), down from a 920 kWh battery weighing 3,600 kg, would have a 6,350 kg maximum take-off weight, down from 6,668 kg, an altitude ceiling of 32,000 ft and a maximum payload of 1,134 kg.[19]

Taxi testing of the first production model began in December 2021 at Arlington Municipal Airport, north of Seattle.[20]

Two variants of the Alice were originally planned.[21] The initial, unpressurized model is intended for air taxi operations, with energy stored in a lithium-ion battery. Eviation was working on building a prototype scheduled to fly in early 2019.[21] In 2017, a second pressurized model was to be an extended-range ER executive aircraft available by 2023 for $2.9 million, with a more powerful aluminum-air battery with a lithium-polymer buffer, a cabin pressurized to 1,200 m (4,000 ft) at FL 280, G5000 avionics, a 444 km/h (240 kn) cruise and 1,367 km (738 nmi) range.[21] In October 2019, Eviation described only the pressurized Alice Commuter with a 260 kn (480 km/h) cruise speed.[22]

With 260 Wh/kg cells, the 900 kWh battery capacity (3,460 kg, 7,630 lb) is initially estimated to give the design a range of 540–650 nmi (1,000–1,200 km) at 240 knots and 10,000 ft (3,048 m).[4] This is anticipated to increase as battery technology improves.[4] The batteries have been tested to more than 1,000 cycles, equivalent to 3,000 flight hours, and will then require replacement at a cost of $250,000 - half of the direct operating cost, similar to a piston engine overhaul.[4] Based on U.S. industrial electricity prices, the direct operating cost with nine passengers and two crew, flying at 240 kn (440 km/h), is claimed to be $200 per hour, which compares to $600–1,000 per hour for existing aircraft of similar purchase price such as the Cessna 402s, Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Air, for operations on routes under 500 nmi (930 km).[4][7] 45% of air routes fall within its 565 nmi (1,050 km) range at 260 kn (482 km/h), or 55% of airline flights according to Flightglobal's Cirium data.[8]

The electric drivetrain will have a higher voltage than current electrical systems.[4] Two 850 hp (630 kW) Magni650 electric motors will drive two propellers mounted on the aft fuselage.[19] The unpressurized aircraft has a flat lower fuselage.[4] The Italian company Magnaghi Aeronautica supplies landing gear and has already produced the gear for the similarly sized Piaggio P.180 Avanti.[4] It will be built with existing technology, including a composite airframe, propulsion from two Magnix electric engines[19] and Honeywell flight control systems, including automatic landing.[6] At 3,700kg (8,200lb), the batteries account for 60% of the aircraft take-off weight.[10] Manufacturing is planned in the US.[9]

The company plans for recharging to be carried out by mobile charging vehicles, similar to aviation fuel trucks. Each hour of flight time is expected to require a charging time of 30 minutes.[6][23] The cells are similar to those from auto industry batteries.[2]

The first buyer for the Alice was Cape Air, a regional airline serving the Northeastern United States as well as the Caribbean.[24] In August 2021, Deutsche Post announced that it had ordered 12 aircraft for use by DHL to transport cargo, with delivery planned from 2024.[25][26] In April 2022, Eviation stated that Cape Air ordered 75 planes.[27]

Data from Eviation[28]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 9 passengers
• Length: 17.09 m (56 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.84 m (12 ft 7 in)
• Max takeoff weight: 7,484 kg (16,500 lb)
• Commuter Payload: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb)
• Cargo Payload: 1,100 kg (2,500 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × magniX 650 Electrical Power Unit , 640 kW (860 hp) each

Performance

• Cruise speed: 407 km/h (253 mph, 220 kn)
• Range: 815 km (506 mi, 440 nmi)
• Endurance: 2.8h at MTOW[29]
• Service ceiling: 9,800 m (32,200 ft)
• Typical Cruise Altitude: 3,000 m (10,000 ft)
• Take-off Field Length: 790 m (2,600 ft)
• Landing Distance: 730 m (2,400 ft)
• Balanced Field Takeoff (Dry, ISA, Sea Level): 1,100 m (3,500 ft)

• List of electric aircraft
• Tecnam P-Volt
• Zunum Aero

• Official website