Electric airliners are moving from concept to skyscape. One model designed for passenger and cargo transport has achieved a successful maiden flight, marking a key moment in aviation history. An all-electric, zero-emission aircraft, based in Washington, D.C. area, completed its first flight with nine passengers aboard. The achievement signals tangible progress toward sustainable regional air travel and demonstrates the potential of electric propulsion in commercial aviation.
A recent test from Grant County International Airport in Washington saw Alice taking off and climbing to around 1,000 meters for an eight-minute flight. The operation supplied valuable data to refine the aircraft for upcoming commercial production, which already carries significant orders from regional operators.
What sets Alice apart is its complete electric powertrain. It operates without a traditional fuel engine, delivering zero emissions and markedly reduced noise compared with conventional regional aircraft. The moment was described as the dawn of a new era in aviation, showcasing a future where affordable, clean and quiet air travel is achievable on a fully electric platform. This milestone is expected to spur ongoing innovation in sustainable flight and influence how both passenger and cargo services evolve over time.
Alice is designed to minimize carbon output and noise while maintaining competitive operating costs relative to light jets or turboprops. The aircraft’s targeted routes emphasize regional travel, where shorter hops and lower emissions can yield meaningful environmental and community benefits.
Focused on regional flights
All-electric aircraft are poised to make regional travel more economical and environmentally friendly for businesses and consumers alike. The advantages extend beyond noise reductions and emissions, enabling access to airports with strict noise limits or operating hours that today limit conventional flights. Alice is positioned for commuter and cargo markets, typically covering ranges between 150 and 250 miles.
The aircraft’s outlook is strong. Cape Air and Global Crossing Airlines, both U.S.-based regional carriers, have placed orders for 75 and 50 Alice aircraft, respectively. DHL Express became a cargo customer, ordering twelve Alice eCargo aircraft, signaling the start of a zero-emission express network and encouraging a broader shift toward sustainable air logistics.
“Alice’s first flight marks a transformational milestone for the aviation industry,” stated a regional aviation leader. “We operate hundreds of regional flights daily, connecting numerous cities across the United States and the Caribbean. Alice can cover a large portion of our operations with sustainable, zero-emission travel for the communities we serve.”
The interior of Alice seats nine passengers and offers a cockpit and cabin layout designed for efficient regional service. The headline achievement underscores the potential for electric propulsion to redefine short-haul travel and cargo movement.
“Alice’s first flight confirms the arrival of sustainable aviation,” remarked a senior executive from the cargo sector. “With an order for multiple Alice eCargo aircraft, we are building toward zero-emission logistics and redefining long-haul viability in an eco-friendly way. This flight represents a step toward net-zero emissions by mid-century.”
Technical specifications
Key attributes of the all-electric Alice include a maximum operating speed of 260 knots and payload capacities that vary by configuration: up to 1,130 kilograms for the nine-passenger version and up to 1,179 kilograms for the eCargo variant. Today, Alice is offered in three configurations: a nine-passenger cabin, a six-passenger executive cabin, and an eCargo version. All layouts accommodate two crew members, with interior differences shaping passenger comfort and cargo efficiency.
The aircraft relies on two MagniX Magni650 electric propulsion units, a leading propulsion solution in flight testing at this scale. Other critical components come from AVL for battery support, GKN for wings, Honeywell for avionics and fly-by-wire controls, Multiplast for the hull, Parker Aerospace for multiple systems, and Potez for power interfaces. The battery system is designed for high efficiency and upgradeability as energy storage technology advances, ensuring improved autonomy over time. A wireline flight cabin contributes to system reliability and redundancy across the airframe.
Developed by Eviation Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Washington, the company focuses on efficient electric aircraft to support regional mobility of people and goods. The design emphasizes electric propulsion, high-energy-density batteries, and mission-oriented power management to enable sustainable short-range air travel. The initiative aligns with broader industry goals to decarbonize aviation while improving regional connectivity.
(Citation: Eviation press materials)
Environment and regulatory considerations noted in industry updates continue to shape how electric aircraft are certified and deployed. Projects like Alice illustrate how new propulsion technologies and battery innovations can intersect with air traffic management and airport operations to unlock previously constrained regional routes.
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