100% Electric Passenger Flights for the Zero-Carbon Future

Elysian Aircraft BV, based in the Netherlands, is developing a fully electric aircraft capable of carrying around 100 passengers over distances of up to 1,000 kilometres. At a time when aviation remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise, Elysian’s approach offers a promising alternative to short-haul flights powered by fossil fuels.

Unlike most other electric flight solutions that focus on small air taxis or cargo drones, Elysian is aiming to scale battery-electric flight for mainstream passenger use. The aircraft has been designed from the ground up, rather than retrofitted from existing fossil-fuelled models. This includes a reimagined aircraft structure optimised specifically for battery energy systems.

With an initial target range of 800 km (growing to 1,000 km as battery technologies evolve), the aircraft will be suitable for many regional routes, such as London to Munich, routes that are currently served by conventional short-haul jets. The efficiency of Elysian’s design rivals that of land-based electric transport in terms of energy use per passenger kilometre.

Key patents are being granted internationally, and the company is following a credible, science-led pathway to address remaining engineering challenges. With support, including potential backing through initiatives like the Earthshot Prize, the team aims to bring this concept to full-scale commercial operation.

Elysian Aircraft is not only developing a new aircraft, it is contributing to the shift toward cleaner, quieter, zero-emission aviation. By proving that medium-range electric air travel is possible with current or near-future battery technologies, this solution challenges long-held assumptions in aerospace and opens the door to a new, more sustainable mode of transport.

Marco MORBIDINI (Patent attorney, Kilburn & Strode):

As patent attorneys, we sometimes come across truly disruptive innovation and there is no doubt that the inventions underpinning Elysian’s new venture are of this calibre.

 Rob WOLLESWINKEL (Co-CEO and Lead Inventor):

As we are now four years down the road in developing the E9X [codename for Elysian’s new aircraft], it has become clear that battery-electric, large passenger aircraft (1) are technically feasible, (2) are the cleanest form of passenger transport in terms of life-cycle ecological footprint and (3) are the most economical solution out of all possible zero-carbon solutions. In other words: if you can fly battery-electric, you should! That drives us at Elysian to make this a reality.