This is the Rolls-Royce 'Spirit of Innovation,' an electric aircraft that has set three new world records and reached a top speed of 387.4mph, making it the world's fastest all-electric vehicle, according to the British company.
It was only last week that Rolls-non-automotive Royce's division flew its electric plane at the Ministry of Defence's Boscombe Down experimental aircraft test site, and it has already submitted its results to the World Air Sports Federation for verification.
On November 16, RR reported that the Spirit of Innovation reached 345.5 mph over three kilometres, breaking the previous record by 132 mph, managed 330 mph over 15 kilometers (182 mph faster than the previous record), and climbed to 3,000 metres in 202 seconds, breaking the previous record by 132 mph. That's a minute faster than the previous time.
The electric plane is powered by a 500-horsepower electric powertrain that, according to Rolls, is the "most power dense propulsion battery pack ever assembled in aeronautical history."
According to RR, the speed records provided valuable insight into electric urban air mobility as well as hybrid-electric commuter aircrafts, among other things. In Rolls' opinion, "the characteristics required by 'air-taxis' from batteries are strikingly comparable" to "the characteristics required by the Spirit of Innovation".
"Following the world's focus on the need for action at COP26, this is another milestone that will help make 'jet zero' a reality and supports our ambitions to deliver the technology breakthroughs society requires to decarbonise transport across air, land, and sea," said Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce. "Following the world's focus on the need for action at COP26, this is another milestone that will help make 'jet zero' a reality and supports our