Eco Factor: Zero-emission personal aircraft powered by electricity.
After being regarded as one of the most CO2-intensive industries in the world, the aviation industry has tried to take a hairpin-turn with the prototypes of solar electric aircraft being developed in various parts of the world. Yuneec is another entrant in the green aviation market and plans to be the first to debut a commercial version of a fully electric aircraft – The E430.
The twin-seat, single engine, LSA class aircraft can be recharged from a domestic 230V power socket and can fly for two and a half hours on a single charge. The $89,000 aircraft is expected to go on sale this time next year. The plane made its maiden flight in Shanghai, China and is reportedly silent and lacks vibration.
Powered by a 40KW motor, which is fueled by a 72kg lithium polymer battery pack, the plane will undergo FAA certification testing before its international debut at the Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2009 next month.
