This 1957-built de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, C-FJOS (c/n 1030), was an unlikely candidate in the race to become the world’s first all-electric airliner.

Airbus and Rolls-Royce will begin test flying the E-Fan X later this year. The former British Airways Connect and Swiss BAE Systems Avro RJ100 is to fly with a hybrid-electric powerplant installed in the number three position.

Airbus hopes to help advance electric technology development by supporting the Air Race E series.

The current record for the fastest all-electric aircraft was set by a Siemens-powered Extra 330LE. The aircraft, flown by designer Walter Extra, achieved a speed of 182kts on March 23,2017, and undertook the first all-electric aerotow a day later.

Bell's Nexus 4EX is one of many new electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft concepts.

Rolls-Royce's Sharp Nemesis NXT-based ACCEL project is developing what it hopes will be the world's fastest all-electric aircraft. It aims to exceed the 298kt average speed achieved by the Rolls-Royce R-powered Supermarine S.6B in its 1931 Schneider Trophy victory.