China launches world's first electric plane

China has made the world's first electric passenger aircraft that could be used in pilot training, tourism, meteorology and rescue operations, state media reported on Friday.

The BX1E has a 14.5-meter wingspan and a maximum payload of 230 kgs. It can fly at an altitude of 3,000 meters.

The charging is completed within two hours, allowing a flight time of 45 minutes to one hour, at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour, Xinhua news agency reported.

The plane, which has received airworthiness certificate, was designed by ShenyangAerospaceUniversity and Liaoning general aviation academy in the northeastern LiaoningProvince.

The first two aircraft were delivered to Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Co., Ltd. on Thursday.

Each aircraft is priced at about 1 million yuan ($163,000). The number of orders for the aircraft has reached 28, the report said. 

Photographs: Reuters