FutureFlight
Norway's Elfly Unveils Prototype for Noemi All-electric Seaplane
Scandinavian countries could be early adopters of electric aircraft as their governments prepare to ban fossil fuel for domestic flights.
Elfly's Noemi all-electric seaplane.
Elfly's Noemi all-electric seaplane will carry between 6 and 13 passengers between waterfront communities in countries like Norway. (Image: Elfly)

Norwegian start-up Elfly Group this week announced plans for an all-electric seaplane it says will be ready to enter commercial passenger-carrying service in 2030, with a cargo version ready by 2028. At an unveiling event in Oslo on June 14, the company said that early versions of the Noemi aircraft will have between six and 13 seats and will fly up to around 200 kilometers (109 nm) at speeds of up to 250 knots.

The Noemi (which stands for "no emissions") will be powered by a pair of as-yet-unspecified electric motors with a combined power output of one megawatt. Elfly plans to certify the aircraft under EASA’s CS23 Level 4 rules to give it scope to scale up the design to carry as many as 19 passengers. It also intends to offer cargo (carrying up to four one-ton standard pallets) and emergency medical support versions.