Photo: Lilium
It might sound like a cliché, but when 2 German industry leaders join forces, you can expect a high-quality outcome. Aerospace company Lilium has teamed up with Customcells, who recently launched a joined venture with Porsche, for developing high-performance batteries that will power an innovative 7-seater electric vertical take-off and landing jet (eVTOL).
A young company, Lilium started developing its proprietary technology for eVTOLS just 6 years ago. It has already come a long way, with 4 generations of prototypes built and tested, including the current 5-seat demonstrator. Its most ambitious project is the 7-seater eVTOL that has received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2018.
The German company has already partnered with several important players in related industries, including Honeywell, Lufthansa Aviation and Ferrovial, an airport operator who will help develop 14 vertiports in Florida. Customcells is the latest company to join this respectable line-up, as the lithium-ion battery supplier for the electric Lilium jet. It will begin manufacturing battery cells for high-quality series production at its Tubingen location, one of the most modern production lines in Europe.
In fact, Customcells’s performance was confirmed by Porsche, who selected it as a partner in the Cellforce Group joint venture, which will manufacture high-performance silicon-anode batteries at the Weissach Development Center.
The 7-seater Lilium jet is based on the company’s Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT) proprietary technology, that integrates the electric motors into the wing flaps. This way, the aircraft gains aerodynamic efficiency, better payload, with reduced noise levels, and also allows thrust vector control throughout various flight phases.
With a 27.9-foot (8.5 meters) length and 45.6-foot (13.9 meters) wingspan, the Lilium eVTOL is also built with a spacious cabin can accommodate 6 passengers. It’s designed to reach a cruise speed of 175 mph (280 kph) and a maximum range of 155 miles (250 km).
Both Lilium and Customecells have manufacturing facilities in Germany, so battery supply shouldn’t be a problem for the future 7-seater electric jet, set to have its commercial launch in 2024.
The German company has already partnered with several important players in related industries, including Honeywell, Lufthansa Aviation and Ferrovial, an airport operator who will help develop 14 vertiports in Florida. Customcells is the latest company to join this respectable line-up, as the lithium-ion battery supplier for the electric Lilium jet. It will begin manufacturing battery cells for high-quality series production at its Tubingen location, one of the most modern production lines in Europe.
In fact, Customcells’s performance was confirmed by Porsche, who selected it as a partner in the Cellforce Group joint venture, which will manufacture high-performance silicon-anode batteries at the Weissach Development Center.
The 7-seater Lilium jet is based on the company’s Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT) proprietary technology, that integrates the electric motors into the wing flaps. This way, the aircraft gains aerodynamic efficiency, better payload, with reduced noise levels, and also allows thrust vector control throughout various flight phases.
With a 27.9-foot (8.5 meters) length and 45.6-foot (13.9 meters) wingspan, the Lilium eVTOL is also built with a spacious cabin can accommodate 6 passengers. It’s designed to reach a cruise speed of 175 mph (280 kph) and a maximum range of 155 miles (250 km).
Both Lilium and Customecells have manufacturing facilities in Germany, so battery supply shouldn’t be a problem for the future 7-seater electric jet, set to have its commercial launch in 2024.
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