Easyjet reveals electric plane that will make flying greener and cheaper

Easyjet has revealed plans for an electric plane that could make flying around the world cheaper and more environmentally friendy.

It’s collaborating with an American firm and has started working on engine development for a 186-seater plane.

Wright Electric hopes to launch test flights using the motor in 2023, with the full aircraft taking to the skies in 2030

The Wright 1 plane will be able to fly for around an hour, meaning it could be used on short-haul flights such as London to Paris or Amsterdam.

Chief executive Jeffrey Engler said: ‘As with anything in aerospace, it’s daunting, and we know we have lots of work ahead of us.

‘At the same time, we believe in a future of low-emission aviation, and our team is working as hard as possible to get there.’

He also said electric planes would provide lower emissions, reduced fuel costs and lower noise levels for passengers and communities living under flight paths.

The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its CO2 emissions.

Normal short-haul aircraft have a large jet engine underneath each wing, but electric planes would have several smaller motors.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: ‘This is another crucial step for our partner Wright Electric to move towards the introduction of commercial electric aircraft and it is exciting to see their ambitious timeline for testing and entry into service.

‘Battery technology is advancing at pace with numerous US government agencies now funding research into electric aviation.

‘All of these developments help us to more clearly see a future of more sustainable operations.

‘We know it is important to our customers that we operate as sustainably as possible.

‘Our carbon offsetting programme has been positively received by our customers and we have now offset more than nine million passenger journeys.

‘But we are clear this is an interim solution until new technologies become available and we can see more clearly than ever a future that is not exclusively reliable on jet fuel.’

Wright Electric has also partnered British aerospace giant BAE Systems to accelerate the development of an electric plane.