Wright Electric plans on launching a 100 passenger zero-emissions aircraft by 2026 called the Wright Spirit, which will be built on a retrofitted BAe 146 platform.
On Thursday (November 4, 2021), Wright Electric announced the launch of the Wright Spirit, a 100 passenger zero-emission aircraft built on a retrofitted BAe 146 platform. The company announced the aircraft concept in conjunction with COP26, the world’s largest climate conference, and has targeted an entry into service of the Wright Spirit in 2026. The four engine BAe 146 aircraft is known for operating out of noise-sensitive airports, and Wright will leverage their megawatt-class propulsion system to transform it into an all-electric, zero-emissions aircraft serving one-hour flights.
According to the company, the Spirit will fly at jet speeds and altitudes, and the Wright team is currently working with their partners easyJet and Viva Aerobus to define the requirements and establish routes. By using a proven 100-passenger aircraft and one-hour flights, Wright believes the Spirit could address the needs for sustainability on the world’s busiest routes, including Seoul-Jeju, London-Paris, Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo and San Francisco-Los Angeles. The infographic below shows these and other potential routes, as well as Wright’s development timeline.
Albany, New York (U.S.) based Wright Electric, Inc. is building technologies for large commercial zero-emissions airplanes. The company is currently developing their flagship airplane, the Wright 1, which will be a 186-seat single aisle airliner with an 800 mile range. The company hopes to achieve entry to service for the Wright 1 by 2030 and is working with commercial airlines including easyJet and VivaAerobus. The company has received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Y Combinator, the Clean Energy Trust and various venture funds.
Source: Wright Electric
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