An aircraft called Alice could be about to revolutionize aviation.
Logistics provider DHL has just ordered 12 electric aircraft called Alice to add to its cargo fleet. DHL wants the zero-emission eCargo plane to be part of the world’s first electric aircraft network. Alice’s first flight will happen later this year, with the planes due to move cargo in 2024.
All Aboard for Sustainable Aviation
Seattle-based Eviation has developed the Alice aircraft. It requires one pilot to fly, can carry 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms), and its range is 506 miles (815 kilometers). It will charge during loading and unloading, with a 30-minute charge enough to power up to one hour of flying.
The eCargo plane will replace standard aircraft currently used by DHL. Alice’s designers say its advanced motors and fewer moving parts will reduce maintenance costs and improve reliability compared to piston and turbine planes.
Several Alice “feeder” networks will be built to support the electric aircraft, with California expected to house the first hub.
Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay said: “From day one, we set an audacious goal to transform the aviation industry and create a new era with electric aircraft. This announcement is a significant milestone on our quest to transform the future of flight across the globe.”
Green Aviation to Meet Home Delivery Demand?
The global aviation industry finds itself at a critical crossroads. The COVID-19 crisis meant people stayed at home, grounding planes worldwide. Jet fuel and kerosene use is estimated to have plummeted by 40%. However, home delivery from online sales during the pandemic changed the retail and transport industry.
The United States saw e-commerce’s share of retail jump to a record 16.1% in the first six months of 2020 compared to 2019. In China, online retails sales leaped to 24.6% of total sales, up from 19.4% in the previous year. The European Union’s 27 member states recorded an extra 30% increase in online purchases when comparing April 2019 with April 2020.
How the Aviation Industry Affects Carbon Emissions
In 2019, the global aviation industry produced around 2% of the world’s CO2 emissions. There are some 33,000 operating aircraft in the world and the industry’s overall value is around the same as The Netherlands if measured as GDP.
Within the transport sector, road transport is responsible for nearly three-quarters of the transport industry’s total emissions. At the same time, aviation accounts for 12% of all emissions.
Air cargo represents just 0.5% of all shipments globally but 35% of their total value. Items shipped are high-value, perishable, or time-sensitive.
Alice: The Start of Emission-Cutting Investment
DHL’s investment in the 12 electric aircraft is part of a decade-long $8.3 billion spending spree to reduce its CO2 emissions, with a zero-emissions target by 2050. Other projects include electrification of DHL’s last-mile delivery fleet, using sustainable aviation fuels, and making its buildings climate-neutral.
John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, said: “We firmly believe in a future with zero-emission logistics. Our investments always follow the objective of improving our carbon footprint. The electrification of every transport mode plays a crucial role and will significantly contribute to our overall sustainability goal of zero emissions.”
Brought to you by energysavings.com
All images licensed from Adobe Stock.
Featured Image – Credit: Deutsche Post AG