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After more than 10 years of researching and developing electric and hybrid-electric aviation platforms, Diamond Aircraft is ready to introduce its all-electric aircraft to the general aviation market -- the eDA40. Operating costs of the eDA40 could be reduced by nearly 40% compared to a traditional piston aircraft.Diamond will partner with Electric Power Systems to utilize the battery technology company's EPiC Ecosystem, a system already certified on the DA40 aircraft. The battery will be installed in a custom-designed belly pod and between the engine and forward bulkhead. What makes it unique is its fast-charging system, capable of fully charging a depleted aircraft in under 20 minutes."The eDA40 will be the first EASA/FAA Part 23 certified electric airplane with DC fast charging and specifically tailored to the flight training market," said Liqun Zhang, CEO Diamond Aircraft Austria. The eDA40, which will feature the latest Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit, is targeted at operators who will be flight training. Initial flights for the eDA40 are scheduled for the second quarter of 2022, with certification expected in 2023.