The electrification of cars has hit the mainstream in a big way, so what's next? Electric aviation could soon be coming to air travel.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recently published new regulations for the commercial operation of electric aircraft, according to a press release from Vertical Aerospace, a tech company working on making electric aviation a reality.
The regulations cover safety standards, training, aerodromes, rulemaking, and timelines for operation, as soon as 2028. Vertical Aerospace said it welcomes the new CAA guidance.
"It gives U.K. industry a clear pathway and timeline to initial commercial operations, reaffirms SC-VTOL as the certification basis, and confirms the framework will be in place to allow pilots and aircraft to fly Day/Night VFR and IFR from day one. That clarity [...] is exactly what's needed to turn demonstrations into safe, scalable services from 2028," said Trevor Woods, director of regulatory affairs at Vertical Aerospace.
The flagship electric plane being developed by Vertical Aerospace is the VX4. Similar to the look of a helicopter, the small aircraft seats four passengers with one pilot and can reach 150 miles per hour, but it operates with zero emissions.
The company has already been working with CAA for years to help shape the future of electrifying the aviation industry.
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"This framework underscores the UK's leadership in advanced air mobility, with the CAA laying the foundations for a safe, scalable and globally competitive ecosystem. With both Heathrow and Gatwick receiving the green light for expansion, and Skyports advancing plans for a UK vertiport network, the road is being set for the UK to become a true leader in this industry," said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, per the press release.
Many companies are working on electric aviation in the hopes of bringing next-gen, energy-efficient air travel to the masses that is significantly better for the environment than using gas fuel. Just as we've seen with cars, electric planes will likely first hit the market for privatized use and for the ultra-wealthy before costs come down for the average consumer.
The plans for electric aviation estimate that it will cut down on commute times and lower fuel and maintenance costs. The planes will also be quieter than today's gas-powered models and be better for our overall health.
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