Airbus successfully tests two-seater electric plane

Airbus has successfully tested its two-seater electric plane, the E-Fan (above), and says production could start at the end of 2017. It's also hoping this technology will serve as a step to bringing electric motors on to larger aircraft.

Airbus says the E-Fan is suited for short missions such as pilot training and aerobatics, and can run on its lithium-ion polymer batteries for half an hour, with the aim to get it up to an hour. Powered by 120 lithium-ion polymer batteries and can fly up to 220km/h.