Rolls-Royce’s all-electric plane confirmed as a record breaker

A battery-powered all-electric plane made by Rolls-Royce has been confirmed as a world record holder.

Back in November, the plane, called the Spirit of Innovation, tried to break the record for the fastest all-electric flight.

After the attempt, in which it reached a top speed of 345.4mph over three kilometres, Rolls-Royce staked its claim for the record with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) – the World Air Sports Federation.

Now, the organisation, which controls and certifies world aeronautical and astronautical records, for approval. has confirmed the Spirit of Innovation as the new record holder, beating the previous record of 132mph.

Warren East, chief executive of Rolls-Royce, said: “Achieving the all-electric world-speed record is a fantastic achievement for the ACCEL team and Rolls-Royce.

“This is another milestone that will help make ‘jet zero’ a reality and supports our ambitions to deliver the technology breakthroughs society needs to decarbonise transport across air, land and sea.”

The ‘Spirit of Innovation’ is part of the ACCEL or ‘Accelerating the Electrification of Flight’ project, with Rolls-Royce working in partnership with aviation energy storage specialist Electroflight and automotive powertrain supplier YASA.

Half of the project’s funding is provided by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK.

The aircraft was propelled on its record-breaking runs by a 400kW electric powertrain and the most power-dense propulsion battery pack ever assembled in aerospace.

The plane was flown over three kilometres by the project’s chief test pilot Phill O’Dell, who was in the Royal Air Force for 17 years.

He said: “Breaking the world-record for all-electric flight is a momentous occasion.

“This is the highlight of my career and is an incredible achievement for whole team.

“The opportunity to be at the forefront of another pioneering chapter of Rolls-Royce’s story, as we look to deliver the future of aviation, is what dreams are made of.”

Steve Jones flew the aircraft for the 15km run – and that record has also been confirmed by the FAI.

Over the 15km, the aircraft achieved 330mph, which was 182mph faster than the previous record.

A third record, for the fastest time to climb to 3,000 metres, is still going through the verification process.

Rolls-Royce’s involvement in the ACCEL project is just one of the ways in which the firm is looking to make aviation more sustainable.

Last year, the company announced its pathway to net zero carbon emissions – a year on from joining the UN Race to Zero campaign – committing to ensure its new products will be compatible with net zero operation by 2030 and all its products will be compatible with net zero by 2050.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Rolls-Royce’s revolutionary Spirit of Innovation aircraft is yet more proof of the UK’s enviable credentials when it comes to innovation.

“This record will show the potential of electric flight and help to unlock the technologies that could make it part of everyday life.

“The Government is proud to back projects like this to leverage the private investment necessary to unlock cleaner, greener aircraft which will allow people to fly as they do now, but in a way that cuts emissions.”