Elfy plans to provide regional service flying its electric amphibian between Norway’s fjords and lakes.
The Norwegian government has confirmed a more than $8 million grant for Elfly Group, enabling the startup to proceed with construction of a prototype of its Noemi electric amphibious regional aircraft.
The grant has been provided by Enova SF, Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment.
Having now been awarded more than $10 million in government grants, combined with matching funding from early investors, Elfly says it can now advance key milestones at its facility in Jarlsberg, Norway.
Backed by Sintef, Norway’s Innovation Research Foundation, Noemi is being designed for regional mobility using Norway’s thousands of fjords and lakes. The full-scale prototype is planned for first flight in 2025.
Building the first prototype is budgeted at around $22 million. Elfly plans to build two more prototypes, the last of which will be certified to permit operations with two pilots and up to 19 passengers, though the company intends to fly with only 13 seats.
The Norwegian startup intends to operate 15 of its own aircraft, construct floating airports to accommodate them, and begin commercial flights by 2030.
The unpressurized seaplane will be powered by electric motors with a combined output of 1 megawatt. Elfly has selected U.S.-based Electric Power Systems to supply the lithium-ion battery packs and says its next priority is to confirm the engine provider.
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