Lilium Sets Sights on Next Big Thing: Larger Electric Aircraft
- Company assembling first full-size test aircraft in Munich
- Permission for flight expected next year, deliveries in 2026
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German electric aircraft pioneer Lilium NV recently began assembling its first commuter jet ahead of planned commercial service in 2026, and already the company’s co-founder is plotting his next big move: a much larger battery-powered model that could carry as many as 100 passengers.
The startup envisions the model — with a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) — for the middle of next decade, with a plan to double its radius by 2045, said Daniel Wiegand, who co-created Lilium almost 10 years ago. Wiegand said it’s the next logical step for the company as it works to turn commitments for its first jet into firm orders, opening up funding for a wider spectrum of aircraft.