Engines
Sora and Bath University Start Battery Tests for S-1 eVTOL 'Bus'
All-electric aircraft is expected to enter service with airport shuttle flights
Sora and University of Bath battery testing
Sora Aviation is testing batteries for its S-1 eVTOL aircraft with the University of Bath in its IAAPS propulsion research center at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. © Sora Aviation/IAAPS

Sora Aviation has started a battery testing project for its planned 30-seat S-1 eVTOL aircraft. The work is being conducted in partnership with the University of Bath in its IAAPS propulsion research center at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.

The campaign involves extensive testing of high-energy-density battery cells being evaluated for use in an all-electric propulsion system. The company said it will support flights of up to 87 nm, although it expects many missions to be around 22 nm.