Pipistrel Taurus Electro G2 takes to the skies, goes on sale [w/video]

The Taurus Electro G2, from well-known light aircraft and glider manufacturer Pipistrel, is now available for sale. Built on a glider airframe, this sweet two-person side-by-side electric aircraft is said to perform better than its gasoline-powered counterpart. Not only is it quieter and more environmentally friendly, it can also take off on shorter runway, climb faster and perform much better in high altitude than the Rotax-engined version. Besides all that, it wears the same €89,500 price tag ($123,700 at today's exchange rate) .

The plane is powered by a 40 kW (54 horsepower) permanent magnet AC motor that can lift the 306-kg (675-lb) craft skyward in 160 meters (175 yards) when loaded to capacity. It can climb as fast as 3.1 meters (10.2 feet) per second at speeds of 100 km/h (62 miles per hour) and with the big pack, bring you up to 6,500 feet. A push of a button retracts the propeller and it's all downhill, so to speak, from there.

The battery is listed as lithium polymer and holds 4.75 kWhs in four separate boxes but can be optionally boosted to 7.10 kWh. Recharging takes 3.5 hours with the standard battery or five with the larger configuration. If you want to go all out, there is an optional enclosed trailer available with a solar charging system, not to mention solar cells which can be added to the fuselage to extend flight times. Hit the jump to check out video of Taurus Electro G2 taking to the skies.

[Source: Pipistrel]