Electra looks to test fly EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft in 2027

Electra will launch a cargo variant of its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft to support the regional freighter segment. Electra, a developer of short takeoff and landing hybrid-electric aircraft, plans to begin test flights for the EL9 Ultra Short in 2027 and hopes to obtain certification and commence deliveries to customers in 2029, the Manassas, Va.-based company told Cargo Facts . [caption id="attachment_57150239" align="aligncenter" width="1098"] The EL9 will have eight electric motors. (Courtesy/Electra)[/caption] The EL9 can be delivered in a passenger, cargo or Combi configuration. The backlog includes orders for the freighter version, the developer said, but did not specify how many. In total, Electra has received orders for 2,200 EL9 aircraft valued at almost $9 billion, according to a March 20 release. The EL9 can carry a maximum payload of 3,000 pounds for up to 1,100 nautical miles. Its rectangular cargo section is 176 inches long, 60 inches wide and 58 inches high. The EL9 is powered by eight electric engines along with battery packs and a turbogenerator capable of recharging the batteries inflight or on the ground, according to the release. Electra designed the EL9 to incorporate hydrogen or electric propulsion systems when they become available, the company said. Customers that have ordered the hybrid-electric EL9 include Houston-based Bristow Group , Denmark-based Copenhagen Helicopter and Copenhagen Air Taxi, Germany-based flyv and Finland-based LYGG. The EL9 will eventually join other alternative aircraft types like Beta Technologies’ Alia in providing advanced air mobility lift capacity to the regional cargo sector. Register now for Cargo Facts EMEA, an essential regional event for industry stakeholders, on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.

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