Wright Electric, is embarking on the Wright Batteries project, aiming to create battery packs with an impressive energy density of 1,000 watt-hours per kilogram, with potential applications in electric aviation and various transportation sectors.
US electric aircraft start-up Wright Electric is launching an initiative known as Wright Batteries, with the aim of developing battery packs featuring an energy density of 1,000 watt-hours per kilogram. To realise this objective, Wright is collaborating with various research institutions and industry partners. The initial battery packs are scheduled for laboratory testing in 2025, and consumers may expect to benefit from these high-energy batteries starting in 2027.
Jeff Engler, CEO of Wright, commented on the initiative, stating, “When I founded Wright, the best vehicle batteries had an energy density below 250wh/kg. Now several large manufacturers are advertising cells at double that capacity, and we have visibility into new battery chemistries that could get us to our target of 1,000wh/kg.” For instance, CATL unveiled its “Condensed Battery” approximately six months ago, boasting an energy density of up to 500wh/kg at the cell level, suitable for electric planes. However, this development serves as a point of reference rather than a primary focus.
In addition to energy density, Wright Electric has set itself other target parameters, including making the batteries four times lighter than today’s lithium-ion batteries and designing them to be applicable in electric aircraft designed for 100 passengers. Furthermore, these batteries will have potential uses in trucking, shipping, and rail transport. It’s worth noting that aviation represents the core application for the company, founded in 2016. Wright Electric emphasises the significance of these batteries in reducing carbon emissions in aerospace, particularly in aircraft with 100 or more passengers, making them a potential catalyst for decarbonisation in the industry.
