Debuts Its Commercial-Scale 'Alice' Plane And Announces First Commercial Customer, Cape Air

Eviation Aircraft has revealed Alice, the first all-electric commuter plane at the Paris Air Show. To meet existing and pre-sale purchase orders for Alice, Eviation will complete its first flights and begin manufacturing in the U.S. in 2019, and, in conjunction with commercial customers and the FAA, will bring certified fleets to market in 2022.

Targeting highly-trafficked "middle mile" commutes around the world for routes like France's Paris to Toulouse, Norway's Oslo to Trondheim and America's San Jose to San Diego, Alice is a radical rethinking of the cost, experience and environmental impact of regional travel. Air carriers, like their ground mobility peers, are moving to replace expensive, aging fleets with electric options that dramatically reduce maintenance and operating costs. Alice will reduce those carrier costs by up to 70 percent, while bringing travelers a cost-competitive, emission-free option.

The culmination of four years of design and collaboration with an ecosystem of partners that spans France, Italy, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Australia, the US and Israel, Alice represents a breakthrough on many levels. Working hand-in-hand with its world-class partners that include Honeywell (flight-by-wire systems), Siemens (EPUs), Hartzell (propellers), magniX (EPUs) and Magnaghi Aeronautica (LG), has made the Alice a harbinger of a new, more sustainable era in aviation. Eviation has extended its network to include the collaboration with AeroTEC, which will lead Alice's flight tests and first flight in Moses Lake, Washington and serve as a partner for certification.

"Capable of flying with 9 passengers at 240 knots and a range of up to 650 miles, we are thrilled to introduce Alice to the aviation world at the aviation industry's largest gathering. Operating at a fraction of the costs of conventional jet liners, our Alice will redefine how people travel regionally and usher in a new era of flying that is quieter, cleaner and cost-effective," said Eviation CEO, Omer Bar-Yohay. "On behalf of the world-class group of suppliers within Alice's anatomy, we are humbled to recognize this debut as more than an unveiling - a historic milestone within the aviation industry. With the introduction of Alice, we welcome an all-new breed of airplanes for the first time in 50 years and it is only the beginning of a bright future for electric aviation and sustainable transportation."

In a livestreamed press conference from the Paris Air Show, Eviation announced the first commercial customer for its all-electric Alice airplane will be regional carrier Cape Air. With a fleet of 92 nine-seater airplanes, Cape Air is one of the largest regional airlines in the U.S., and has a double-digit purchase option for Alice. It will incorporate Eviation's Alice nine-seater planes into its existing fleet, offering flyers in the U.S. an unparalleled flying experience.

Today regional travel in the U.S. is on the rise, with an increase in consumers flying short distances between 50 to 650 miles. This growing segment offers the ideal scenario for Eviation's all-electric Alice, which aims to undercut the cost of travel by making middle mile trips cheaper, faster and cleaner. The shift to electric will reduce operating costs, eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, make air travel more affordable and connect communities like never before.

"Cape Air has never been just another airline. We are a company of firsts, and one with a deep sense of social responsibility. Seven years ago, we were recognized by the EPA for our sustainability efforts. Today, we are stewards in what is the world's single most emissions-laden industries," said Cape Air founder and CEO, Dan Wolf. "We see tremendous opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, and to help our employees and communities do that as well. Augmenting our fleet with the all-electric Alice aircraft is the next chapter in our future."

With the goal of making regional air travel accessible for all, Eviation designed Alice to create a new flying experience for passengers that is cleaner, quieter and cost-effective. Inspired by the new design possibilities that emerged by replacing turbine engines with all-electric motors, Eviation and its team have reimagined what sleek, stylish and cost-effective air mobility can be with the introduction of the first zero-emission aircraft. Eviation's Alice leverages an IP portfolio that includes innovations in thermal management and autonomous landing, as well as distributed electric propulsion, industry-leading battery technology and cutting-edge composite body frames, capable of flying with nine passengers at 240 knots to a range of up to 650 miles on a single charge.

"For the first time in over 50 years, Eviation has created a new breed of aircraft fleets and a new era in aviation with the all-electric Alice. By securing our first commercial customer with a large and well-respected regional airline such as Cape Air, we have demonstrated and proven Alice as a leader in first-to-market innovation and reliable zero-emission aviation," said Omer Bar-Yohay, Eviation CEO. "We are beyond thrilled to partner with Cape Air to bring the first all-electric regional aircraft to airports and air passengers across North America as we redesign air travel to make it quieter, cleaner and affordable."

(Images provided with Eviation news release and from file)

FMI: www.eviation.co