Lilium Starts Production of eVTOL Jet Batteries

April 23, 2024

Lilium has started producing the battery packs for its eVTOL, the Lilium Jet, which is expected to make its first flight by the end of 2024. (Image: Lilium)

Lilium, the Munich, Germany-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer, has started the production of the lithium-ion battery packs that will power the Lilium Jet.

According to an April 16 press release, Lilium is on track to complete its first piloted flight of the Lilium Jet by the end of 2024. This latest milestone represents a landmark in the development of the Lilium Jet and follows extensive testing of battery pack subcomponents from individual cell to stack level with a focus on performance, safety and regulatory conformity.

The Lilium Jet battery packs are being assembled at the company's battery factory, located at Lilium’s headquarters outside of Munich, with the aid of new generation digital tools that enable process control, efficient data collection and traceability. Lilium has been supported in the design of the assembly line and initial production ramp up by suppliers with extensive experience in battery industrialization, especially in the automotive sector.

The all-electric Lilium Jet is powered by "Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT)," according to the company. Under this design, the electric jet engines are integrated into the wing flaps to provide advantages in payload, aerodynamic efficiency and a lower noise profile, whilst also providing thrust vector control to maneuver the Lilium Jet through every phase of flight.

The electric jet engines rely on a single "stage" rotor/stator system driven by an electric motor. Additionally, the production version of the Lilium Jet will be equipped with 10 independently functioning battery packs that are designed to enable safe flight and landing, even in case of failure of any single battery pack.

The company describes its battery back as comprised of lithium-ion cells with silicon-dominant anodes that will allow for higher energy, power, and fast-charging capabilities than graphite anode cells. The battery packs are being designed to meet EASA’s aircraft safety requirements regarding shock resistance, heat resistance, containment, and redundancy. Lilium has secured comprehensive intellectual property rights for its battery technology.

The company also continues to work on the development of its first vertiport at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The first units off the battery assembly line will be used for verification testing ahead of the Lilium Jet’s first piloted flight.

“The start of production of the battery packs is a proud moment for Lilium," said Yves Yemsi, COO of Lilium. "Battery technology is central to the goal of delivering sustainable regional air mobility, including overcoming the challenges of developing and industrializing a battery pack that will meet the stringent safety standards of aircraft certification. With the start of production of the Lilium Jet’s unique high-performance aircraft battery packs, Lilium has laid a further cornerstone towards realizing the vision of electric aviation.”

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