Richard Chandler, a 63-year-old Singapore-based billionaire investor, believes 'Alice' will catalyze the development of electric aircraft in an industry still skeptical of them. “It’s a forerunner into a seismic shift in aviation,” he says. Read more:
Futuristic electric vertical-takeoff air taxis have grabbed all the headlines—and billions in venture dollars—but Singapore-based investorthinks he has a better idea: conventional battery-powered aircraft that are cheaper to fly and more reliable than turboprops.
In 2019, he bought a 70% stake in Eviation, an Israeli startup, to show how well MagniX’s engines could perform in an airplane designed from day one around electric propulsion. Chandler sees the nine-passenger Alice as the Tesla Model S of electric aircraft. Like Elon Musk’s first $95,000 battery-powered sedan, Alice will be expensive and range-challenged . But Chandler believes Alice will catalyze the development of electric aircraft in an industry still skeptical of them.
Worldwide, McKinsey estimates roughly 12,000 older small aircraft are suitable for conversion to battery electric or hybrid systems . In addition, the company is working with Southern California startup Universal Hydrogen to power 40-seat seat regional airplanes with fuel cells. One firm order: launch customer DHL, which is ponying up for 12 cargo-configured planes. Light e-commerce boxes are a good fit for Alice. The plane has an unusually wide 6-foot-4-inch midsection to incorporate 8,200 pounds of batteries, which leaves it with less overall payload capacity than planes of similar size, but lots of interior volume.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Police investigating deadly shooting at Chandler Amazon facilityThe shooting reportedly occurred Wednesday morning around 9:30 a.m. near Queen Creek and McQueen roads.
Read more »
1 injured in shooting at Amazon warehouse in ChandlerChandler Police Department is currently investigating a shooting at an Amazon Flex Warehouse near McQueen and Queen Creek roads.
Read more »
City Council rejects bid to save Lakeside architect Richard Crowther’s Cherry Creek homeDenver City Council shut down efforts to save pioneering architect Richard Crowther’s former home in Cherry Creek, citing arguments from the property’s owner, who plans to develop it into luxury duplexes, and the opposition of neighborhood residents.
Read more »
TWU Local 100 shifts gears, elects Richard Davis as new transit union president | amNewYorkTransport Workers Union Local 100, the union representing tens of thousands of rank-and-file New York City Transit employees, has elected a new president, elevating Secretary-Treasurer Richard Davis to one of the city's most influential labor positions.
Read more »