London, April 28 (IANS): Move over electric cars. Plan a family trip on a private electricity-powered jet instead!
France-based aircraft maker Airbus is ready to foray into making passenger jets powered by hybrid electric engines.
The planned plane can take off and land using electric power, and carry about 70-90 people.
"The full-fledged plane can hit the tarmac between 15 and 20 years," Jean Botti, Airbus Group chief technology officer, was quoted as saying in media reports.
A 9.5-metre prototype that Airbus is touting as the precursor to hybrid passenger aircraft recently made a demonstration above Merignac airport in France.
Called E-Fan, the prototype is an all-electric two-seater plane powered by two electric motors.
The E-Fan uses a pair of motors with ducted fans powered by a battery.
It can fly for about half-an-hour at a speed of 177 km per hour.
According to Botti, he would like to see a prototype for a regional jet in 2030.