I've been following Heart Aerospace's electric plane since 2021. It made its first flight in August, a flight which lasted 30 minutes and cost just $5 for "fuel" (electricity). Most ES-30s will be hybrid, though, because current battery energy density isn't high enough for ranges longer than 150 miles (250 km). Also, 1 in 1000 flights in the US get diverted to an airport 100 miles away. Having two hybrid engines will allow the ES-30 to get ranges up to 500 miles and provide backup if a diversion is necessary.
Regional air travel is the most expensive air travel per kilometre. So Heart Aerospace isn't just about reducing emissions and noise, it's also about filling a gap in regional and short-range passenger travel that has been abandoned by airlines because it became too expensive.
If it goes into service, the first flights won't be until 2031, because it takes years to get certification.
Remember, the first really successful electric car was the hybrid Toyota Prius. It took a decade before fully electric cars were available, and another decade before they became mass market.
The first video shows an overview of the first flight, the second is an interview with the founder of Heart Aerospace, Anders Forslund.
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