September 27, 2022 could go down in the history books: The “Eviation Alice” took off for the first time, the first electric aircraft designed and built for commercial passenger operations.

The maiden flight of a first version of the emission-free jet is designed for a payload of around 1.300 kg, which corresponds to nine people including luggage. According to Eviation, it has already earned more than two billion US dollars. According to the company, there are now almost 300 all-electric aircraft in the order book. In addition to Cape Air and Global Crossing, the aircraft manufacturer also mentions the letter of intent from the German company Evia Aero, which includes 25 aircraft.

The "Alice", as the first E-Jet was affectionately christened, is accelerated by two electric motors to a speed of around 480 km/h and reached a height of just over 1.000 m during the first eight-minute test flight. Nevertheless, it will take until 2025 until all testing is complete and prototype production can begin. In the long term, Eviation Alice will primarily be used on short-haul routes between regional airports, with a cargo version of the e-plane also being considered.

Eviation Aircraft was originally founded in Israel in 2015 and later relocated to the United States.