First electric airplane ready for mass production

A visitor looks at China's first electric light sport aircraft RX1E Ruixiang on display during the sales contract signing ceremony at the Shenyang Aerospace University in Shenyang city, northeast China's Liaoning province, February 6, 2015. [Photo/IC]

The country's first electric airplane is ready for mass production following the successful completion of low-temperature flight tests.

The two-seat RX1E can fly for 45 to 60 minutes at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers an hour after an hour and a half of charging.

Four aircraft are currently in service. Another 20 are expected to be built this year.

Developed by Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Co Ltd in northeast China, the RX1E could be used for pilot training, sightseeing and aerial photography.

The aircraft received its airworthiness certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China early last year.