5 February 2019
Airbus is joining in with Air Race E, the world’s first electric aircraft race series due to launch in 2020.
Air Race E will follow a format similar to the popular Air Race 1 series of formula one air racing. Eight electric-powered aircraft will race directly against each other on a tight 5km circuit, 10 metres above the ground, and at speeds faster than any land-based motorsport.
“We want to motivate manufacturers to showcase their technologies across the full spectrum of electric propulsion systems and components.” said Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer of Airbus.
“This partnership enables us to demonstrate our commitment to staying at the leading edge of electric propulsion and developing a new ecosystem.”
Airbus will work alongside other Air Race E partners, including the University of Nottingham. The University is currently developing a prototype race aircraft powered by an integrated electric motor, battery, and power electronics system.
1 comment
It will be great, if this takes off, but why do you publish a poorly staged photograph with F1 ICE engined racers?
Why would an electric aircraft have a bulky nose with cylinder head bumps on each side and a carburettor intake below?
The Electric Lightning P1 E (TEACO-BAT) has 300 HP and a pair of contra-rotating propellers, in a pencil slim fuselage, and looks like the way to go.