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Elysian Aircraft has made changes to the design of its all-electric E9X regional airliner concept after completing the conceptual design review. The Dutch start-up provided an update on the program last week after the first tests flight with a scaled demonstrator version of the aircraft, which is expected to seat between 88 and 100 passengers, and have a range of around 405 nm.

Refinements to the initial design relate to the E9X’s distributed electric propulsion and high-voltage systems, wing-battery integration, and modular battery packs, explained the company. Notably, Elysian's engineering team has reduced the number of electric motors mounted along the wings’ leading edges from eight to six. According to the company, the changes will improve the aircraft's overall energy architecture and propulsion efficiency, as well as facilitating systems integration.

The conceptual design review process included work with a wing integration mock-up model, a power distribution rig, and a battery demonstrator pack. The recent first flight of a scaled flight demonstrator also added “an early layer of physical validation” to the aerodynamic, flight-controls, and propulsion-integration work, Elysian said.

A 100-seat all-electric aircraft concept

Formally launched in January 2024, the Dutch startup began initial work began on its aircraft concept in 2020. Unlike other all-electric or hybrid regional aircraft developers—such as Germany’s or France’s —Elysian is developing the E9X to operate with passenger loads closer to existing narrowbody airliners. The company said it intends to increase range up to 1,000 kilometers (544 nm) as battery performance advances.

While the E9X will serve as the “primary civil integration platform for the company’s electrification architecture,” Elysian believes its electrification technologies are also suitable for dual-use applications. “These…also have relevance beyond the E9X civil program,” stated company co-founder and CTO Rob Wolleswinkel, citing “strong interest” from unspecified “relevant stakeholders.”

In mid-2025, Elysian suggested it was targeting E9X certification by the early 2030s, with entry into service by 2033. In June 2025, it entered into a collaboration with KLM and Transavia to exchange operational expectations and insights, while an October 2025 partnership with TrueNoord promised to “provide a platform for open dialogue between innovators, financiers, airlines and other stakeholders across the sustainable aviation ecosystem,” wrote the lessor.