All-Electric Elysian E9X The new Elysian E9X all-electric aircraft is by a Dutch start-up had the aircraft initially with an 8-motor setup. After a conceptional design review, recent revisions to the design now has the E9X with 6 motors and longer wings as well as increasing the maximum take off weight to above 80 tonnes. It has been envisioned to carry between 88 to 100 passengers. The operational range has been cited at 405 nautical miles. The reduction in propulsive motors on the wing was necessary to increase energy architecture and propulsion efficiency.
If you were paying attention a few years ago you would remember when this design surfaced. It was in early 2024 that the official E9X design was officially introduced to the public. This is one of the latest designs that will be in its own lane but still targeting the regional narrowbody market. For now, it is looking to carry up to 100 passengers but as battery technology continues to become better in the future, the passenger capacity and range of the aircraft should increase.
The Elysian E9X isn't the only electric/hybrid-electric regional aircraft in development. Germany has the Vaeridion and France also has the Aura Aero craft. However, besides looking different, the E9X aim is to be providing a platform that is much closer in carrying passenger capacity to that of existing narrowbody airliners. Before they can start fielding a full-scale test aircraft...a demonstrator has be to tested to ensure and validate the design in the field. In fact, Elysian has already flown a sub-scale demonstrator fitting the revised design.
This program is still relatively in its infancy and back in the middle of 2025, Elysian suggested it was homing-in on E9X certification by the early 2030s with a view to have EIS (entry into service) by 2033. The E9X model will serve as the “primary civil integration platform for the company’s electrification architecture". However, the company believes it will eventually be dual use while not naming the other application. For more information: Elysian Hoeksteen 40 2132MS, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands www.elysianaircraft.com ***
