Harbour Air to receive $1.6 million for aircraft electrification project

From Vancouver Sun – link to source story

The funding supports Harbour Air’s conversion of existing aircraft to be fully electric-powered.

By: Tiffany Crawford, Vancouver Sun •  October 29, 2021

The first ceremonial seaplane flight between Vancouver and Seattle lands in Vancouver’s inner harbour carrying Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; Alan Winter, Innovation Commissioner for B.C.; and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson on April 25. Photo by Gerry Kahrmann /PNG

The B.C. government announced Friday it would provide nearly $1.6 million to Harbour Air Seaplanes for its aircraft electrification project.

B.C. Energy Minister Bruce Ralston said Harbour Air is decarbonizing aviation and elevating the company to new altitudes as a clean-technology leader in B.C.’s transportation sector.

The funding, which is part of the government’s CleanBC initiative, supports Harbour Air’s conversion of an existing aircraft to be fully electric-powered and builds on its successful December 2019 flight of the world’s first all-electric commercial aircraft, according to the government.

Ralston said that flight marked the start of the third era in aviation: the electric age. He added that 21 full-time jobs will be created and sustained by the project.

Harbour Air has also purchased a fully electric, zero-emission passenger shuttle bus to pick up and drop off passengers between Harbour Air’s downtown Vancouver and Richmond locations, and the Vancouver International Airport.

In total, $8.18 million is being distributed to 18 projects from the second round of CleanBC Go Electric ARC program funding.