Technology · 20 August 2026

The largest all-electric plane ever flies for 27 minutes, on $5 of electricity

A 30-seat electric aircraft, the X1 demonstrator, has successfully completed its first flight, flying for 27 minutes on battery power alone. Heart Aerospace aims to use what it learns from the X1 to develop a hybrid-electric passenger plane by 2031. The ES-30 model would use a combustion engine to extend its range to about 500 miles.

By BriefTea Editorial · 20 August 2026 at 7:20

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How much is £5 of electricity? What's a hybrid plane? Who is Heart Aerospace? Why are electric planes hard?

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