Tiny electric airplane shatters record by hitting 175 mph [w/video]

/
Electric airplane piloted by Hugues Duval – Click above to watch video after the jump

It's not even close to supersonic, but with sustained flight at a speed of 175 miles per hour, French pilot Hugues Duval's electric airplane flew into the record books.

Weighing in at a scant 200 pounds and boasting a wingspan of only 16 feet, the electric aircraft is claimed to be the world's smallest twin-prop aircraft, and by hitting a top speed of 175 clicks, it's now the world's fastest electric airplane, beating the existing record by nearly 15 mph.

The plane itself is powered by two 35-horsepower electric motors and a pair of 1.5-kWh batteries. Its range – listed in minutes of flight time, not miles – is a little less than half an hour, provided that speeds stay at or below 65 mph.

Hit the jump to watch Duval take to the skies in his record-breaking electric plane.

[Source: Gas 2.0]

More Information