British Columbia-based seaplane operator Harbour Air has completed a first direct all-electric point to point test flight with its ePlane. The historic De Havilland Beaver, which was completely retrofitted in 2019 to operate using 100 per cent electricity, flew 45 miles in 24 minutes. The aircraft left Harbour Air's terminal on the Fraser River adjacent to Vancouver International airport and landed in Pat Bay adjacent to Victoria International Airport; take off was at 08.12am with ample reserve power upon landing at 08.36am.

“I am excited to report that this historic flight on the ePlane went exactly as planned,” says vice president of flight operations and test pilot Kory Paul. “Our team, as well as the team at magniX and Transport Canada, are always closely monitoring the aircraft's performance, and today's flight further proved the safety and reliability of what we have built.”

In early 2019, Harbour Air and magniX committed to build an all-electric commercial airline and they successfully completed the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft flight on 10 December that year in Richmond, BC. The two companies then began the process of retrofitting a DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver and converting its engine to a 750 hp all-electric motor. In less than 10 months, the team created the blueprint, built the ePlane and successfully flew it. The aircraft is currently undergoing the certification and approval process with the FAA and Transport Canada.

The ePlane project will ultimately turn Harbour Air's 40+ fleet of seaplanes from carbon-neutral to carbon-zero.