Battery Innovations Power All-Electric Aircraft

About this technology

Overview

One major challenge to developing all-electric aircraft—safely delivering enough power to the motors—got a boost from industry, California-based Electric Power Systems. The company used funding from Armstrong Flight Research Center to develop a new technique to safely package thousands of off-the-shelf lithium-ion cells into one lightweight, powerful battery. The company is now supplying similar batteries to power an all-electric training airplane and has contracts with companies interested in designing electric vehicles for travel between small airports and within urban areas.