Electric aviation is taking off
Science & technology | Flying the future
Electric aviation is taking off
Hybrids, rather than fully electric planes, are likely to triumph
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Photograph: Getty Images
Jul 22nd 2026|BLACKBUSHE AIRPORT|4 min read
TAXIING TOWARDS the runway, the propeller stops turning as your correspondent pulls the throttle back to await take-off. On a single-engined light aircraft, that is usually a worrying sign of engine failure. Yet this plane is powered by an electric motor and, just like when you come to a halt in a Tesla, the motor stops until it is needed again. On advancing the throttle the propeller springs back to life and the aircraft is soon briskly climbing, in an eerily quiet manner.
The two-seater Pipistrel Velis Electro is the first electric aircraft to be certified for pilot training. Besides its low noise, it has other unusual features. Instead of the lengthy series of engine checks a combustion-engine plane requires before take-off, the Electro is ready to go with the flick of four switches. Since it has few moving parts, it is also cheaper to maintain. And without directly producing any nasty emissions it can claim to be green, especially if recharged with renewable power. Topping up the battery takes just over an hour.
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