ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Air New Zealand debuts new battery-powered electric aircraft

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 6 Dec 2023, 6:41pm
 NZH File image
NZH File image

Air New Zealand debuts new battery-powered electric aircraft

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 6 Dec 2023, 6:41pm

Air New Zealand's new battery-powered plane won't carry any passengers.

The airline's bought an electric Alia aircraft, which is expected to join the fleet from 2026.

The aircraft weighs three tonnes and its battery takes about an hour to charge.

Chief sustainability officer Kiri Hannifin says they'll fly Alia on routes of about 150km and it'll be cargo only.

"We just want to do smaller routes- this is all a big learning exercise for us, so we're going to keep it small to start with."

LISTEN ABOVE

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you