the rolls-royce all-electric airplane is ready for its spring take-off

back in 2019, rolls-royce unveiled the ACCEL project — what it hopes will be the world’s fastest all-electric airplane. two years later, the spirit of innovation single-passenger, zero-emissions aircraft has successfully completed the taxiing test, making it the first time the plane has been powered along a runway propelled by its 500hp (400kW) electric powertrain.

short for accelerating the electrification of flight, the ACCEL project by rolls-royce aims to bring the british luxury automobile maker’s journey towards net zero carbon by 2050. the first flight of the spirit of innovation plane is planned for spring 2021, hoping that at full power the combination of electrical powertrain and advance battery system will power the aircraft to more than 300mph, setting a new world speed record for electric flight.

‘electrification of flight is an important part of our sustainability strategy as we aim for net zero carbon by 2050,’ said rob watson, director – rolls-royce electrical. ‘taxiing of the ‘spirit of innovation’ is an incredible milestone for the ACCEL team as we progress to first flight and the world-record attempt later this year. for the first time, the plane propelled itself forward using the power from an advanced battery and propulsion system that is ground-breaking in terms of electrical technology. this system and the capabilities being developed will help position rolls-royce as a technology leader offering power systems to the urban air mobility market.’

the characteristics that ‘air-taxis’ require from batteries are very similar to what is being developed for the ‘spirit of innovation’ so that it can reach record-breaking speeds. rolls-royce will be using the technology from the ACCEL project and applying it to products for the market. the idea is to bring a portfolio of motors, power electronics and batteries into the general aerospace, urban air mobility and small commuter aircraft sectors as part of our electrification strategy.

project info

company: rolls-royce airplane

collaborators: electroflight
type: electric airplane
manufacturer: YASA
funding: aerospace technology institute (ATI)