The eFusion is a two seat side-by-side low-wing monoplane with non-retractable tricycle landing gear. The empty weight of 410kg includes the batteries and the ballistic recovery system. The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 600kg.
Siemens designed a safe and robust battery system for aviation use and optimised the electric propulsion system for application in the cost-sensitive segments of Very Light, Light Sport and Ultra-Light Aircraft. Siemens researchers developed a new type of electric motor that, with a weight of just 50kg, delivers a continuous output of about 260kW – five times more than comparable drive systems.
This record-setting propulsion system successfully completed its first public flight at Schwarze Heide Airport near Dinslaken, Germany, where it – almost silently – powered an Extra 330LE aerobatic airplane. The new drive system had already made its maiden flight on June 24 2016. This advance means that hybrid-electric aircraft with four or more seats will now be possible.
On display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Siemens UK chief executive, Juergen Maier, took to the skies in the eFusion in the first ever extended all-electric propulsion flight over a UK airfield. He flew for 30 minutes and captured his experience on video.
Video courtesy of Juergen Maier