The ecological transition does not only concern road mobility. The aviation sector is also concerned, in particular so-called leisure aviation.
One of the many avenues of research is based on the electric propulsion of light aircraft, which has become a reality thanks to the Slovenian Pipistrel. The latter developed the Velis Electro (formerly Alpha Electro), a single-engine two-seater with a 57.6 kW electric motor powered by two battery packs — one in the front, the other in the rear — rated at 24.8 kWh each and liquid-cooled. One of the two packs allows take-off and climb of the plane. Autonomy is 50 min, including 10 min reserve. The Velis Electro has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
But the Velis Electro may soon no longer be alone in this niche, if we except the eVTOL. Indeed, Ideanomics has decided to tackle the electrification of leisure aviation. If this Italian company is unknown to the general public, its subsidiary Energica is familiar to us. And for good reason, it is a manufacturer of electric motorcycles – haute couture – with a sporting vocation, among which we find the Eva EsseEsse9, the Eva Ribelle, the Ego and the Experia Green Tourer, the youngest.
The Pure Flight U15E ΦNIX © PureFlight
Energica has therefore signed a partnership with two companies specializing in light aviation, Pure Flight and Phenix Air Corp. The first, which flies the Czech flag, builds light aircraft such as the U15, available in an electric version, and the U15E ΦNIX, which will carry an Energica electric motor. The aim is to achieveone of the highest ranges for intra-European electric air travel“.
As for the second company, it is French and manufactures microlight aircraft, including the Transat MD03, a two-seater seaplane microlight. Just like Pure Flight, Phenix Air Corp is studying the possibility of electrifying its range through the development of an engine called e-Engine. This consists of a 107 to 112 kW electric motor – which drives the variable-pitch propeller – supplied by Energica. The latter is coupled to a battery pack with a capacity of 21.7 kWh offering an autonomy of 1 hour + 30 minutes of security. The assembly is water cooled. If the tests on land are conclusive, this electric powertrain will be installed on two French microlights, the Sherpa and the Airland.
Finally, a last ongoing project is happening on the other side of the Atlantic with Sonex Aircraft, a manufacturer of light kit planes. This will involve evaluating Energica’s powertrain according to several use cases such as training flights, aerobatics or long-distance travel between States.
These three partnerships are part of a program called Energica Inside intended to help manufacturers of light vehicles wishing to embark on the electrification of their range by giving them access to the various electric engines of Energica.