EasyJet puts its weight behind plans for electric planes

EasyJet is backing plans to develop commercial passenger aircraft powered by electric batteries instead of conventional aero engines. The airline wants the proposed planes to fly passengers on its short-haul routes, possibly within 10-20 years. The prototype is going to be developed by a new US firm called Wright Electric, which has already built a two-seat battery-powered plane. The new, larger plane would have a range of 335 miles, the companies said. EasyJet said this meant it would be able to cover popular routes such as London to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Glasgow and Edinburgh.<br/>EasyJet's possible involvement was first revealed in March 2017. Carolyn McCall, CE of EasyJet, said she was now confident that such a plane, possibly carrying 220 passengers, would eventually fly. "We share an ambition with Wright Electric for a more sustainable aviation industry," she said. "Just as we have seen with the automotive industry, the aviation industry will be looking to electric technology to reduce our impact on the environment."<br/>