Rolls-Royce’s experimental all-electric plane, Spirit of Innovation, has successfully flown for the first time, taking the zero-emissions project one step closer to powering “air taxis” in future. Though the single-propeller aircraft may have relatively classic looks, its powertrain is thoroughly modern.

Driving that propeller is a 400 kW electric motor, powered by 6,000 battery cells. It’s “the world’s most energy-dense flying battery pack,” Rolls-Royce claims, with sufficient juice to power 250 average homes.
…
Read more