Electric aircraft engines can now get safety certification in the US

The US aviation regulator has created new safety rules for electric aircraft engines. This means companies can now get official approval for electric planes, which was not possible under old rules written for jet fuel engines.

For decades, every new aircraft engine had to meet safety standards designed for jet fuel. This made it impossible to certify electric engines, even for small planes. This change means electric aircraft can now move past experimental status and into commercial use, opening up a new market for air travel.