Perhaps I missed it, but haven't seen any discussion about electric power plants in Zeniths or perhaps kit planes in general? With the new siemens motors 100 hp and 250 hp soon becoming available and a number of battery suppliers is that another option to the list of combustion engines? At somepoint I will bedoing more than just looking at 750 kits and the electric power plant has always intrigued me.

Mark

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I haven't heard of anyone doing it yet. I think you should pave the way forward.

Hi Mark, I have been a brushless motor engineer for 25 years. The motor and controller technology is here, but even the best lithium batterys lag far behind. First applications will be electrically launched sailplanes, followed by small electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) air taxis with replaceable battery packs for short hops. My Zenith Zodiac with Viking Honda 110 HP will give the range and power that I need. It is truly amazing how much energy is in 1 gal. of gasoline compared to battery power! Best Regards, Larry Zepp

I think we are considerably further along. Below is a link that talks about six companies to watch. Highlights include "Alice" (maiden flight planned late this year) 650 mile range, 276 mph, 9 seats, $165 per hour operating cost.

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/6-electric-aviation-companies-watch

Great thread and discussion!  Electric power is very intriguing....Are there any estimates of when electric engines may be available for homebuilders?

Dan

I would like to see this...with the power and torque of electric motors, we are talking INCHES on takeoff!

The Zenith Mission is not a great match for electric motors. The STOL/701/801 is too draggy, even the Cruzer is still too draggy and the wing profile takes too much power. The 650 does not have the gross weight. The composite planes are really better built for this because they can go reasonably fast on "Cruise" power. At slower speeds they can make the battery last, but still fly fast enough to be useful and make efficient use of the wing. It takes too much power on our "Dirty" planes to be good platforms for electric right now. A battery capacity revolution might changes this, but Zeniths are meant for a different mission then pure energy efficiency.

It also takes more fossil fuel to fly a high drag airplane at the same speed. Any mission has a set fuel requirement. In electric, the fuel must be substituted with batteries, so fuel intensive missions are not appropriate for battery powered airplanes. The problem is the mission, not the airplane. Fly more slowly and don't fly as far. Don't let this stop you. I want to see an electric Zenith.

Cool to see, is there a blog or project webpage?

What is the Max Gross weight on this?

Does empty weight mean with the Batteries?

1320-950 gives 370lbs of useful load which is two 185lbs folks with no baggage, or two sub-faa weight folks with bags.

Can't be used for commercial training, so what it the mission?

How long to charge the batteries?

Is this flying already?

My mission is flying around locally very slowly and lowly, sometimes looking for lost dogs and horses and checking the saskatoon berry bushes for ripeness and density. Ideal for electric. This mission can not be done in a slick plastic plane that cruises at 100+mph. How do you even go through the Tim Hortons drive-thru?

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