Electric planes will join Air Canada’s fleet as the airline takes steps to become a greener company.
Air Canada announced Thursday that it had ordered 30 ES-30 electric-hybrid aircraft from Heart Aerospace of Sweden with a projected date of service set for 2028.
The airline also gained a $5 million equity stake in Heart Aerospace.
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“The introduction into our fleet of the ES-30 electric regional aircraft from Heart Aerospace will be a step forward to our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau said in a statement. “Already, Air Canada is supporting the development of new technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels and carbon capture, to address climate change. We are now reinforcing our commitment by investing in revolutionary electric aircraft technology, both as a customer for the ES-30 and as an equity partner in Heart Aerospace.”
The ES-30 planes are expected to seat 30 passengers in a two-by-one configuration and fly as far as 124 miles in all-electric mode. However, the range can increase to 249 miles when generators supplement battery use and 497 miles when the plane’s capacity is limited to 25 people.
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With the order, Air Canada becomes the second North American airline to confirm orders for electric planes with Heart Aerospace.
In July 2021, United Airlines announced the purchase of 200 ES-19 electric planes, according to Markets Insider. The smaller, 19-passenger electric planes are expected to enter service two years ahead of the ES-30s in 2026.
