Dutch Startup Elysian Develops Electric Airliner For Commercial Flight Operations
The E9X aircraft aims to reduce global aviation emissions by 20 percent when it enters service in 2034.
Dutch startup Elysian Aircraft is developing the E9X, a commercial airliner designed to carry up to 100 passengers on flights of up to 1,000 kilometers. By targeting short-to-medium haul routes, the company aims to address nearly 50 percent of scheduled commercial passenger flights worldwide. The project seeks to lower aviation emissions by 20 percent once the aircraft enters service in 2034.
The E9X design, created in collaboration with researchers at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), features modular battery packs integrated into the aircraft's wings to power six electric propellers. This configuration addresses the technical challenges of housing heavy batteries in a space traditionally reserved for liquid fuel. The company has already completed its second conceptual design review and successfully tested a scaled demonstrator in partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
Elysian co-founder Daniel Jacobson noted that the aircraft is intended to transport 90 passengers initially for 800 kilometers, with plans to extend that range to 1,000 kilometers. The company is currently collaborating with airline partners KLM and Transavia to evaluate the operational and commercial requirements for integrating electric aircraft into existing flight networks. Additionally, the aircraft lessor TrueNoord is investigating potential financing and commercial support models for the E9X.
The development comes as the aviation industry faces pressure to reduce its climate impact, with aircraft currently accounting for more than 2 percent of global heating. By shifting to electric propulsion, Elysian aims to offer a quieter alternative to conventional jet engines while reducing dependency on traditional fuel sources.
