Maeve Unveils Plans for 44-seat All-electric Aircraft by 2029

Maeve Aerospace, a Dutch start-up, plans to build its all-electric regional airliner Maeve 01 that can carry up to 44 passengers by 2029. The company believes that it is the “world’s first” aircraft of such kind.

During an unveiling ceremony at its headquarters in Delft on April 13, Maeve’s co-founder and chief commercial officer Joost Dieben confirmed four airlines have signed letters of support that amount to provisional orders of 20 Maeve 01 aircraft. Among those who have signed the letters of support are Fly With Lucy, a European start-up, and New Zealand-based Air Napier. 

The airliner has eight wing-mounted propellers and can travel distances of up to 460 km (250 nautical miles) at a cruising speed of 488 km/h. It will also emit zero emissions, generate 40% less noise, and have a charging time of 35 minutes. 

Based on the advancements in battery technology, the company envisions enhancing the airliner in 2032 to carry 52 passengers and fly 710 km (383 nautical miles) by 2040. It also believes it can supply up to 1,200 aircraft in the future. 

However, Maeve 01 is not the first large-scale electric aircraft concept in the market. In March, LYTE Aviation introduced a 40-seater hybrid-electric air bus that can travel distances of 1,000 km. Unlike all-electric aircraft, the 17-ton LA-44 SkyBus is powered by a mix of hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The company’s co-founder and CEO Jan-Willem Heinen further said that the Maeve 01’s operating costs will be 17% lower than similar aircraft, such as the ATR 42. He added it can also be used to resurrect previously scrapped flight routes, including Bern to Munich. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Martin Nüsseler, a former Airbus and Deutsche Aircraft senior engineer who was appointed as Maeve’s chief technology officer, provided more insight into the interior design of the aircraft. He said the Maeve 01 will have four-abreast seating and overhead compartments on either side. 

One of the airliner’s more unique and environmentally-friendly features is that it will not need a tow truck to reverse from the airport gate. It will also use a portable DC-DC charging system and 500 Wh/kg batteries from US-based Amprius Technologies, the company revealed. 

Nüsseler added that the Maeve 01’s clean-sheet design enables it to use 30% less energy per passenger in comparison to other aircraft on the market. He will now be in charge of research and development, along with program management, as the company moves into the conceptual design phase. 

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