Elfly Group secures grant from Norwegian Government agency to develop prototype of its all-electric seaplane

Wednesday 30th August 2023

• 
• 

Norway's Elfly Group is to forge ahead with the production of a full-scale prototype of its all-electric commercial seaplane, the Noemi (No-Emissions) following this week’s confirmation of USD$8 million-plus grant from Enova SF, the country’s Ministry of Climate and Environment.

 

The award underlines the Norwegian Government’s commitment to transition to a low emission society and its ambition to  make domestic flying emission free by 2040 . Elfly Group will support this goal (when Noemi flies) by reducing CO2 emissions by an approximate three million tonnes worldwide within 2050.   Having been awarded more than US$10 million in soft funding, combined with matched funding from early investors, headed by the company’s founding CEO Eric Lithun, Elfly can now progress key milestones at its Jarlsberg, Norway facility.

 

“Our team is delighted by the recognition and endorsement of Noemi, our all-electric seaplane,” said Eric Lithun, thanking Enova and Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, for “recognising our  business case and aligning with our programme as a viable solution.”

 

Eric Lithun Founder and CEO of Elfly,with Espen Barth Eide, Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment in Oslo today, 30 August.

Photo credit: KLD

 

Elfly’s amphibious Noemi, backed by Norway’s Innovation Research Foundation, SINTEF, is being designed for flexible regional mobility in Norway. With its design inspired by a boat, whose hull will enable the aircraft to take off using little power, the Noemi prototype (non-passenger version) is being readied for first flight in 2025. Noemi is being designed for 200km commercial air journeys, flying at up to 250kmh, from 2030.

 

Its seaplane, carrying from nine to 13 people, will be powered by two electric motors with up to 1MW combined output and lithium batteries. It will have an unpressurised cabin, large windows and large access door.

 

Following the selection of Electric Power Systems (EPS) of the USA as battery supplier during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July, Elfly’s next priority is to confirm its engine provider.

Pledge to operate 15 seaplanes on its own AOC

Elfly Group’s vision is to operate 15 Noemi aircraft on its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC).   Elfly is focusing on its home market first, developing its own infrastructure  creating valued connections from the country’s 1,000 plus fjords and 450,000 lakes.  Thereafter, it intends to explore opportunities in other short hop markets, considering that 80% of the world’s population lives by the sea.

“Many Norwegians live by fjords and lakes, but need access to hospitals, big cities, and connections to the world.  Our fjords can be turned into potential (floating) airports without destroying nature.  While the country is home to 5.5 million people, we consume 10 times more travel - the equivalent of a population of 55 million. First and foremost is the need for sustainable travel, which we believe will also enable many economic opportunities for coastal communities,” highlighted Eric Lithun.

 

Elfly will participate at Norway’s Green Aviation Conference ZERAC23 on September 20 at Sentalen, Oslo.  See:  http://gronnluftfart.no/zerac23

 

Google Drive link to photos:

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ueFm0kqgQpbrCXm8KuVYI8ZYXG0QgbIN?usp=sharing

 

Elfly Group Partners

 

NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology  located in Trondheim, Gjovik and Alesund. 

 

SINTEF Ocean , water tank and hull test partner.  The business conducts research and innovation related to ocean space for national and international industries.

 

SINTEF Digital  - sensor system. Based in Oslo, SINTEF Digital is a renowned specialist in research and innovation in digital technologies and technology- orientated social 

 

Norsk Titanium

Provider of 3D printed Titanium parts

 

OSM Aviation Academy

Planning the future of pilot training and flight deck of the future

 

Norwegian 

Norway’s LCC, regional air carrier - for maintenance planning

  

Nordic Electric Aviation Network

A platform where Nordic aviation players come together to accelerate the introduction of electric aviation in the Nordic countries.  NEA is focused on standards and certifications; connectivity (point to point between Nordic countries).

 

Elfly principals

 

Eric Lithun, CEO

An IT entrepreneur, Eric Lithun has participated and invested in several start-ups. For over 13 years he successfully built up Identum, a prolific cloud-based Identity Management System business. The company was bought by Visma in 2023. Eric holds a number of real estate investments. A passionate GA aviator, he holds a PPL (A)-SEP and owns a Piper Commander 112A.  

 

 

Tomas Brødreskift, CTO

An industrial designer and skilled pilot, Tomas grew up around experimental aircraft. He established Equator Aircraft in 2010 where he developed the P2 Xcursion amphibious electric aircraft. The P2 was widely recognised as the first clean sheet electric seaplane in the world. The technology demonstrator first took flight in 2018, and Tomas subsequently led development of the eCassutt electric racer, which flew in 2022. Having flown gliders from a young age, Tomas also holds a PPL-A and enjoys flying as much as possible in his freetime.

https://el-fly.no/