Rolls-Royce ‘Spirit of Innovation’ Sets Unbroken World Speed Records for Electric Flight
LONDON, UK – The Rolls-Royce ‘Spirit of Innovation’ is not merely an electric aircraft; it is a definitive statement on the future of sustainable aviation, having set multiple world speed records that firmly establish it as the world’s fastest all-electric aircraft.
Crafted with the precision and luxury characteristic of Rolls-Royce’s heritage, this sleek, all-electric masterpiece proved that the future of flight can be both powerful and environmentally conscious.
The ‘Spirit of Innovation,’ which is part of the UK government-backed ACCEL (Accelerating the Electrification of Flight) project, successfully set two major speed records on November 16, 2021, which were later independently confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the World Air Sports Federation:
Top Speed over 3 Kilometres: The aircraft achieved a top speed of 555.9 km/h (345.4 mph) over 3 kilometres, smashing the existing record by 213 km/h (132 mph).
Speed over 15 Kilometres: It achieved a speed of 532.1 km/h (330 mph) over 15 kilometres, breaking the previous record by a staggering 292.8 km/h (182 mph).
During its record-breaking runs, the aircraft also clocked a maximum top speed of 623 km/h (387.4 mph), solidifying its claim as the world’s fastest all-electric vehicle.
Advanced Technology Meets Timeless Elegance
The aircraft was propelled by a cutting-edge 400kW (500+hp) electric powertrain and the most power-dense propulsion battery pack ever assembled in aerospace. This advanced technology is now feeding crucial data into Rolls-Royce’s future systems for next-generation transportation, including:
Urban Air Mobility (UAM): Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles.
Hybrid-Electric Commuter Aircraft.
The ‘Spirit of Innovation’ successfully merges advanced technology with timeless sophistication, creating a vision for the next era of travel—silent, sleek, and effortlessly fast. It stands as a powerful reminder that true luxury in the modern age is always forward-looking and synonymous with sustainability.
