Ampaire selects battery supplier for its Eco Caravan hybrid aircraft

EmpireA US company founded in 2016 to develop electric aircraft has chosen Electric Power Systems (EP Systems) as a battery supplier for its Eco Caravan hybrid.

Eco Caravan is the first commercial product developed by Ampaire. It is a hybrid propulsion model developed from the famous Cessna Grand Caravan. The adaptation maintains the autonomy and load capacity features of the original variant. Under the agreement, EP Systems will supply the electrical components of the aircraft’s propulsion system.

The energy storage system to be used, called EPiC, operates from advanced cellular technology that delivers an energy density of more than 200Wh/kg (watt-hours per kilogram) at the battery pack level. Plus, in average use cases, it delivers over two thousand fast charge cycles before a replacement is requested.

This is the second Eco Caravan propulsion component selected by Ampaire, which in July selected the AO3 comppression ignition engine, made by RED Aircraft, to provide the combustion thrust for the hybrid system.

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The company had already used the EPiC system in its EEL hybrid-powered experimental aircraft, which was developed from the Cessna Skymaster.

Eco Caravan Features

According to the developer, it has the capacity to carry up to nine passengers and a range of up to 800 miles (1,287 kilometers). Additionally, it can carry up to 2,500 lb (1,133 kg) of payload.

Compared to the original Cessna Grand Caravan, the hybrid version consumes 70% less fuel on short distances and up to 50% less on long trips. Thus, it enables a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Working with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) cuts emissions by up to 90%, according to Ampaire.

On the other hand, the overall reduction in operating costs is between 25% and 40% compared to the original model, depending on the track.

The new version of the turbocharged engine has already undergone its first power tests on the ground and is expected to complete its maiden voyage before the end of the year. Thus, it became the first hybrid aircraft to enter the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) process. This is a less complex program than the one required to validate an entirely new form. For this reason, Ampaire expects to obtain all necessary approvals in 2024.

See also: Los Angeles – Oshkosh: Empire completes longest hybrid flight to date