The Canadian Press
RICHMOND, B.C.–The world’s first all-electric commercial aircraft was set to lift off today from the Harbour Air Seaplane terminal in Richmond, B.C.
The seaplane company announced in March that it had partnered with engineering firm MagniX in Washington state with the goal of becoming the world’s first all-electric airline.
Harbour Air CEO Greg McDougall said in a video statement that he’s convinced the future of aviation is electrified and he’s proud to be part of the conversion to e-planes.
The test flight was moved up from tomorow to avoid a change in the weather in the Vancouver area and McDougall will be the pilot of the retrofitted Beaver seaplane during the test.
The plane is powered by a 750 horsepower electric motor.
Harbour Air covers 12 routes and operates about 30,000 flights a year between Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle and other locations.
