Rolls-Royce ACCEL
The Rolls-Royce ACCEL (Accelerating the Electrification of Flight) is an electric aircraft demonstrator developed by Rolls-Royce plc. Development. Rolls-Royce developed the ACCEL as a racing aircraft to gain the all-electric air speed record, targeting over . The existing electric aircraft record at that time was , set in 2017 by a Siemens powered Extra 330. Designed at Gloucestershire Airport, the project is partly funded by the UK government and involves partners such as electric motor and controller manufacturer YASA Limited and aviation start-up Electroflight. The team aimed to reach the 1931 Schneider Trophy speed , which was won by a R-R-powered Supermarine S.6B, reaching . On 15 September 2021, Rolls-Royce announced the aircraft, named "Spirit of Innovation", had successfully completed its first flight, flying from MoD Boscombe Down for fifteen minutes. It subsequently reached a top speed of , 555 km/h (300 kn) over 3 km (1.6 nmi), over , and was able to climb to 3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 3min 22s. The speeds achieved were accepted as world records for electric aircraft by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in January 2022. Design. The span aircraft is powered by three high power density electric  motors driving a single three-blade propeller spinning at 2,400 RPM, designed and manufactured by YASA, running at 750 volts and delivering over combined from its 6,480-cell battery pack with cork insulation. Its cooled battery pack should have the highest energy density for an aircraft and should allow a range. It is derived from the carbonfibre Sharp Nemesis NXT racer, cruising at with a 350hp (260kW) piston engine, but reaching with a highly tuned engine. Battery power output will be continuous, reaching 750kW (1,006hp) at maximum power. The battery, motors and control equipment weigh the same as the regular  engine and fuel tank while the NXT has a maximum take-off weight of 1,200kg (2,645lb). Its 216 KWh battery pack weighs 1350 kg.