FutureFlight
Wright Electric Aims for Battery Performance Breakthrough for Aircraft
In early 2024, the company will start altitude testing of its one-megawatt electric motor generator as it continues work on a planned two-megawatt powertrain.
Wright Electric's megawatt-hour battery
Wright Electric has launched a new business unit to deliver what it says will be a breakthrough in battery performance. (Image: Wright)

Electric propulsion system developer Wright Electric has launched a business unit to produce megawatt-hour-size batteries that can deliver 1,000 watt-hours per kilogram in battery packs. The U.S. start-up, which is mainly focused on producing a two-megawatt electric motor for single-aisle airliners, claims that the new batteries would be four times more energy-dense than lithium-ion batteries currently powering electric vehicles.

Announcing the initiative, Wright said its batteries could be used for new electric aircraft carrying more than 100 passengers. The company, which was founded in 2016, has been working with partners including NASA and UK-based low-cost airline EasyJet to develop electric propulsion options to decarbonize commercial aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 by 2030.