After over a decade of research and development, Pipistrel, a small aircraft designer and manufacturer, has made a breakthrough in a new aviation – electric aviation.

Battery powered aircraft Pipistrel Velis Electro has been issued type certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This is the first type certification worldwide of a fully electric aircraft.

The aircraft is powered by the first certified electrical engine, the E-811-268MVLC, certified by EASA for Pipistrel on May 18, 2020. The entire certification was completed in less than three years.

The Velis Electro is a two-seater aircraft intended primarily for pilot training.

“This is the first electric aircraft EASA has certified but it will certainly not be the last, as the aviation industry pursues new technologies to reduce noise and emissions and to improve the sustainability of aviation,” said EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky.

“The type certification of the Pipistrel Velis Electro is the first step towards the commercial use of electric aircraft, which is needed to make emission-free aviation feasible. It is considerably quieter than other aeroplanes and produces no combustion gases at all,” said Ivo Boscarol, founder and CEO of Pipistrel Aircraft.