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§ Private Profile · Albany, NY, USA
Boeing for electric planes
Key people at Wright Electric.
Wright Electric was founded in 2016 by Doug Griswold (Founder) and Jeff Engler (Founder/CEO).
Wright Electric is building commercial electric airplanes for lower prices, higher safety, and zero emissions. The Wright 1 is a 186 passenger electric plane designed for routes like LA-SF and London-Paris. We work with airlines like easyJet and VivaAerobus.
Key people at Wright Electric.
Wright Electric was founded in 2016 by Doug Griswold (Founder) and Jeff Engler (Founder/CEO).
Wright Electric is a pioneering aerospace company focused on developing commercial electric airplanes that offer lower operating costs, enhanced safety, and zero emissions. Their flagship project, the Wright 1, is a 186-passenger electric plane designed for short-haul routes under 800 miles, such as Los Angeles to San Francisco or London to Paris. Wright Electric collaborates with airlines like easyJet and VivaAerobus to advance electric aviation technology and aims to make regional single-aisle flights carbon-neutral without increasing costs compared to fossil-fueled aircraft[1][2][4].
The company builds electric propulsion systems and retrofits existing aircraft platforms, such as the BAe 146, into hybrid or fully electric planes. Their products serve airlines and the broader aviation industry by addressing the critical problem of aviation’s carbon footprint, which is heavily concentrated in single-aisle, short-haul flights. Wright Electric is gaining momentum through partnerships with major aerospace players, government agencies, and research institutions, with flight testing and commercial service targets set for the late 2020s and early 2030s[3][5].
Founded in 2016 by Jeff Engler, a serial entrepreneur motivated by the environmental impact of air travel, Wright Electric emerged from a vision to drastically reduce aviation emissions. Engler assembled a team of top engineers from Boeing, GE, and Bombardier to develop an electric propulsion system capable of powering commercial aircraft. The company initially focused on flights with more than 100 passengers and distances under 800 miles, identifying this segment as responsible for nearly half of aviation’s carbon emissions. Early milestones include the development of a megawatt-class electric motor and partnerships with airlines and government agencies to test and refine their technology[1][3][4].
Wright Electric is riding the global trend toward decarbonization and electrification in transportation, specifically targeting the aviation sector’s significant carbon footprint. The timing is critical as battery technology improves and regulatory pressure mounts to reduce emissions. The company addresses a market segment—single-aisle, short-haul flights—that accounts for nearly half of aviation emissions, making their zero-emission electric planes a potentially transformative solution. Their work influences the broader ecosystem by demonstrating the feasibility of electric propulsion at commercial scales and fostering collaboration across industry and government to accelerate sustainable aviation[2][4][7].
Wright Electric is positioned to lead the transition to zero-emission regional air travel with commercial service of the Wright Spirit expected by 2027 and the larger Wright 1 by 2030-2032. Future trends shaping their journey include advances in battery energy density, regulatory incentives for clean aviation, and growing airline commitments to sustainability. As electric propulsion matures, Wright Electric’s influence could expand beyond regional jets to reshape the entire aerospace industry’s approach to emissions. Their success will hinge on continued technological breakthroughs, strategic partnerships, and market adoption, potentially making them the "Boeing for electric planes" in the coming decade[1][4][7].
