Evia Aero, a start-up regional airline based in Germany, signed a letter of intent (LoI) on October 19, 2022, to purchase 25 all-electric Alice aircraft from Eviation.
The planes are expected to help the new carrier launch point-to-point air connectivity services across Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands.
"Together with Eviation we will introduce a fleet of zero-emission aircraft that will transform the way we experience regional travel in Europe," Evia Aero chief executive Florian Kruse said in a joint statement with Eviation. “We are deeply committed to holistically transforming the aviation industry by implementing a complete cycle of local energy generation, storage, and flight operations.”
The recent deal follows the inaugural flight of the Eviation Alice prototype, which took place on September 27, 2022.
What do we know about Alice so far?
First unveiled at the Paris Air Show in 2019, Alice, an electric commuter aircraft, is designed to carry up to 2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg) of payload for a range of up to 440 nm (815 kilometers). Powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units, the plane is expected to produce zero carbon emissions, according to the manufacturer.
According to Eviation, Alice is being developed to target both commuter and cargo markets.
“Travel by electric aircraft will help to revitalize regional communities, create new job opportunities within the aviation industry, and enable secondary airports to prosper with additional commuter traffic and lower operating costs,” the manufacturer said in the statement.
Alice’s launch customer DHL ordered 12 aircraft in cargo configuration in August 2021. Most recently, on September 15, 2022, Eviation announced that it had received a letter of intent (LoI) from US-based charter airline GlobalX regarding the potential order of 50 Alice planes. Delivery of the aircraft is expected to begin in 2027.
The first all-electric Alice is expected to enter commercial service in 2024.