Electric Plane Breaks Speed Records, Proves Fossil Fuels Belong In The Past

Electric technology has long been considered the weaker option when it comes to transportation for a long time. However, just as Tesla has proven that electric cars are now just as good if not better than gas vehicles, Siemens proved that electric planes can also keep up with aircraft that use fossil fuel. In fact, its plane just shattered world records.

The plane in question is the Extra 330LE and it broke two world records during the World Air Sports Federation’s (FAI), Futurism reports. One was for reaching 209.7 mph in the “less than 1,000 kilograms” take-off class. The other was for the 213 mph it reached in the “above 1,000 kilograms” class.

Shortly after breaking those records, the plane then did an aerotow, pulling an LS8-neo glider craft. This is no mean feat since the glider actually adds considerable weight and challenges in maneuverability. In the Press Release from the company, electric aircraft division head Frank Anton explains what this achievement means for renewable energy and aeronautics, in general.

“This aerotow provides further highly visible evidence of our record-setting motor’s performance capabilities,” Anton said. “Just six such propulsion units would be sufficient to power a typical 19-seat hybrid-electric airplane.”

While cars may be among the biggest contributors to pollution and greenhouse gas, airplanes using fossil fuels also represent a considerable chunk of the blame pie. Thousands of these gigantic birds fly through international skies every single day and their emissions are not negligible.

For now, however, conventional airplanes are still going to be the readily available option for most people. Siemens has currently no plans to mass produce its plane, New Atlas reports. In the future, perhaps the world will finally get rid of the airplanes that it has now, but that won’t likely be for a long time yet.