Sweden strives for fossil-free flying with electric aircraft
The automotive industry is already in overdrive when it comes to electric power. But what about the flight?
The sky is about to turn greener and it’s happening – and it’s happening fast. Swedish company Heart Aerospace has revealed plans for a 30-seat, electric commercial aircraft that could be operational by 2028.
“We have to remove carbon dioxide, and we have to do it quickly,” says the company’s CEO Anders Forslund.
“By 2050, we want to be completely carbon neutral. For aviation, that’s a huge challenge. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we think it’s extremely important that just because it doesn’t happen overnight doesn’t mean we can wait until tomorrow.”
Gothenburg-based Heart was formed after neighboring Norway announced plans in 2028 to achieve fossil-free flight by 2040. Investors include Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
The ES-30 is built to fly 200 kilometers on battery power alone. A backup hybrid turbogenerator, powered by sustainable aviation fuel, could double that range to 400 km.
United Airlines and Mesa Air Group have already ordered 200 aircraft, while Air Canada has placed an order for 30 aircraft and invested $5 million in the company.
“If you want to compare electric aircraft to conventional aircraft on range, well, we’re not there yet,” Forslund added. “But what we can offer is that we can offer low noise, zero emissions, which means it’s not only good for the climate, but also for your local environment, for the pollution near airports.”
Many projects to develop greener aircraft are underway around the world. UK-based Vertical Aerospace has received over 1,350 orders for its electric four-passenger vertical take-off aircraft. Aviation giant Airbus is exploring hydrogen-powered engines.
Elplan in Sweden has – currently – only two seats, with flights limited to around one hour.
It is hoped that this plane will be active in the air by 2028. /Heart Aerospace
It is hoped that this plane will be active in the air by 2028. /Heart Aerospace
Inspired by the country’s climate-conscious “flygskam” – or “flight shame” movement, popularized by local activist Greta Thunberg, however, Sweden’s aviation bosses have established a charging network that stretches up the west coast. There are plans to extend further north into Norway.
Sweden has committed to making all its domestic flights fossil-free by 2030, and all flights departing from the country – both domestic and international – fossil-free by 2045.
“If not here, where else are we going to be the first with zero-emission flights?” asks Fredrik Kampfe from Swedish Aviation Industry.
“We also have a market in Scandinavia and a geography that simply fits very well. In Northern Norway we have these short lines of maybe 14, 15 minutes, up to 20 minutes between airports, it will be a perfect first market.”
Source(s): AP