Evia Aero Wants Fleet of All-Electric ‘Alice’ Aircraft

Germany-based Evia Aero has signed a letter of intent to purchase 25 all-electric Alice aircraft to serve as its primary aircraft for travel within Germany, Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands, Eviation announced.

The Eviation Alice is a clean-sheet design made possible by magniX's electric propulsion system.

"The creation of an all-electric European commuter fleet of Alice aircraft will advance an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable future of flight," Gregory Davis, president and CEO of Eviation, said.  "Evia Aero further showcases the commitment of German-based companies to revolutionize air travel. Together we can enable a future where electric air travel is the standard for the next generation."

According to Eviation, the nine-passenger all-electric Alice produces zero carbon emissions and costs a fraction to operate per flight hour as compared to turboprops or light jets.

Alice made its first flight on September 27, 2022, at Moses Lake, Grant County International Airport (KMWH). FLYING was there to witness the event. As the aircraft lifted off into the peach-colored morning sky there were cheers and applause from those present. It was a momentous event—Alice had been several years in the making, and is the first-of-its-kind of aircraft.

Eviation officials were quick to note that the aircraft is a proof-of-concept design, and the data culled from the first test flight is being used to refine the product. Alice is designed to serve as either a commuter or cargo aircraft with flights ranging up to 250 nm.

Eviation is based in Arlington, Washington, north of Seattle. The Evia Aero deal marks its first steps into the European market.

"As an early adopter of all-electric air travel and sustainable technologies, Evia Aero shares Eviation's dedication to social responsibility," Loïc Questiaux, sales director at Eviation, said in a statement. "Eviation's Alice promises to transform commuting by air, across Europe. Not only green and clean, but elegantly designed, and providing a smoother, quieter in-flight experience, the Alice will offer Evia Aero passengers a new way to fly."

In Europe, Evia Aero is a new entrant into the regional aircraft market. The company is focused on developing an electric aviation ecosystem which includes electricity generation as well as flight operations. According to a statement from Evia Aero, the company will generate electricity regionally through photovoltaic power plants, "supporting the energy framework intended to make the widespread deployment of electric aircraft a reality. The business model is designed to significantly improve the carbon footprint of airport infrastructure, and re-energize less frequented routes, by enabling air travel that is scalable, sustainable and economically viable."

"Together with Eviation, a pioneer of electric flight, we will introduce a fleet of zero-emission aircraft that will transform the way we experience regional travel in Europe," Florian Kruse, founder and CEO of Evia Aero, said in a statement. "We are deeply committed to holistically transforming the aviation industry by implementing a complete cycle of local energy generation, storage, and flight operations."