The first-ever fully electric commuter plane “Alice” from Eviation Aircraft has successfully completed its maiden flight at Moses Lake, Washington, USA. Alice lifted off yesterday at 4:10 pm CEST from Grant County International Airport (MWH), flying for a total of eight minutes and reaching an altitude of 3,500 feet.
DHL Express is Eviation’s first cargo customer, with an order of 12 Alice eCargo planes to be delivered in 2025.
This acquisition, announced last year by DHL, aims to establish the first electric express network, leading the way for a new era of zero-emissions air freight.
The company has also invested millions in recent years in the Americas electrifying its ground fleet. This is part of a series of efforts and investments by the company to operate more sustainably and reach net zero emissions by 2050 – some of these include major SAF purchases, as well as electric trucks with solar panels, electric cargo bikes, etc.
John Pearson, CEO DHL Express, says: “Our compliments to Eviation on the successful first flight of Alice! Completing its maiden flight confirms our belief that the era of sustainable aviation is here. With our order of 12 Alice e-cargo planes, we are investing towards our overall goal of net-zero emissions logistics. Alice’s range and capacity makes it a unique sustainable solution for our global aviation network, supporting our aspiration to make a substantial contribution in reducing our carbon footprint and ultimately, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050."
