Photo: Eviation
"Who the f... is Alice?" is no longer a question DHL is asking. The prototype of the first all-electric cargo plane took off from Moses Lake Airport in the US at 7:10 a.m. local time (4:10 p.m. CET) on Tuesday, flew for eight minutes, and reached an altitude of 3,500 feet. DHL plans to operate twelve of these aircraft.
John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express: “We congratulate the manufacturer (Eviation Aircraft)! The maiden flight confirms our conviction that the age of sustainable aviation has begun. With the order of twelve Alice e-cargo aircraft, we are investing in our overall goal of net-zero emissions logistics. Alice’s range and capacity make it a unique sustainable solution for our global air transport network.”
It supports DHL in its efforts to make a significant contribution to reducing its carbonfootprintand ultimately achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Alice is available in three variants, including a commuter version for nine passengers, an elegant and sophisticated executive cabin version for six passengers, and an eCargo version. All configurations are designed for a crew of two.
Alice in DHL yellow
Alice is powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units from magniX, the only flight-proven electric propulsion systems of this size. Other key suppliers include AVL (battery support), GKN (wings), Honeywell (innovative fly-by-wire system, flight control, and avionics), Multiplast (fuselage), Parker Aerospace (six technology systems), and Potez (doors).
Alice's battery system is highly efficient and expandable, allowing for increased range as battery technology advances.
