Fully-Electric Seaplane Advances Lithium Battery Industry

The world's first fully-electric powered seaplane has successfully taken flight in Vancouver, Canada, which would boost the lithium battery industry revolution. This purely electric commercial aircraft was obtained by the engineering company magniX, headquartered in Seattle, USA, by modifying a Canadian Seaport Airlines DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver seaplane with a capacity of 6 passengers and a 750.

It is reported that Greg McDougall, founder and chief executive of Harbour Air, drove this fully-electric aircraft from a seaplane terminal on the Fraser River and landed after a short flight. The lithium battery could only power around 160 kilometers.

However, Roei Ganzarski, chief executive of Seattle-based engineering firm magniX, indicated that the lithium cell is sufficient to support most short-haul routes operated by Seaport Airlines. At the same time, it proves that commercial aviation in the all-electric form is feasible. The technology will mean significant savings for airlines and zero emissions. This marks the beginning of the era of electric aviation.

Harbour's electric Beaver can fly about 60 minutes on one charge. But regulators require aircraft that operate under visual flight rules to have the ability to fly 30 additional minutes, which gives Harbour’s new plane a mere 30 minutes of flight time. Besides, McDougall also hopes the company can begin electrifying its fleet of more than 40 seaplanes, which will increase the size of the upstream market, such as the lithium battery market.

The trial flight of the world's first fully-electric seaplane would boost the lithium battery industry revolution. To promote the revolution of the lithium battery industry, it is necessary to strengthen innovation the driving force for comprehensive utilization of resources, especially to improve the utilization of mineral resources such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, develop new types of mineral resources, such as tungsten, molybdenum, and rare earth ores.

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