Sora Aviation kick-starts battery testing
UK-based eVTOL start-up Sora Aviation has begun a battery testing campaign in collaboration with the University of Bath at its advanced propulsion R&I centre IAAPS at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.
Sora Aviation is developing the S-1, a 30-passenger eVTOL ‘bus’ that it hopes will provide a more sustainable option for regional air travel.
The battery testing campaign will focus on the high energy density battery cells that are designed to power the S-1, which is being designed for use cases such as city centre to airport routes where demand is high.
Sora said the tests were “critical to ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the company’s all-electric propulsion system”.
The S-1’s higher passenger capacity allows it to offer a quarter of the cost of an air taxi per passenger, the company believes.
“We are excited to partner with the University of Bath at IAAPS,” said Furqan, Sora Aviation’s CEO.
“This collaboration is a vital step towards advancing affordable and sustainable large-scale advanced air mobility.”
“At IAAPS, we thrive on working with forward-thinking companies like Sora Aviation, whose vision for advanced air mobility aligns with our drive for technological innovation. This battery testing project is a pivotal step toward realising the potential of electric aviation, and our partnership reflects our shared dedication to pioneering innovative energy solutions. Together we are shaping the future of sustainable transport and advancing the technology needed to make electric flight a reality,” added Professor Chris Brace, Executive Director, IAAPS.
