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Dutch startup Elysian says electric flight may be closer than you think
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Dutch startup Elysian Aircraft is pursuing a full-size all-electric airliner, the E9X, and says electric flight may arrive sooner than travelers expect. The company aims to carry 90 passengers initially for 800 kilometers and later 1,000 kilometers, cutting emissions to zero on served routes. Co-founder Daniel Jacobson told EuroNews that this range could cover half the world’s flights and cut aerospace emissions by 20%.
Aviation accounts for more than 2% of global heating when CO₂ and other emissions are included, according to data cited by campaign group Stay Grounded. The share is considerably higher in wealthy countries. Elysian says that impact motivates its push for a full-size electric airliner rather than a niche aircraft.
Designed with researchers at Delft University of Technology, the E9X uses oversized wings filled with modular battery packs. These power six propellers driven by electric motors. Elysian says the aircraft can carry up to 100 passengers up to 1,000 kilometers, or about 620 miles.
That range is enough to handle nearly 50% of scheduled commercial passenger flights worldwide, according to Elysian. The company estimates the plane could eliminate 20% of in-flight emissions when it enters service in 2034. The target depends on progress in batteries, certification, and airport infrastructure.
Elysian says the E9X is more than a concept. It has completed its second conceptual design review and flown a scaled demonstrator with Germany’s DLR aerospace research center. The tests showed how its battery packaging addresses the challenge of integrating heavy packs into wings, where fuel is traditionally stored.
The startup is also working with airlines KLM and Transavia to explore operational and commercial requirements. Aircraft lessor TrueNoord is investigating how the E9X could be financed and supported commercially. If efforts succeed, Elysian believes electric airliners could reshape short- and medium-range flying by the mid-2030s.
