China makes first electric passenger plane

China has produced the world's first electric passenger aircraft to gain an airworthiness certificate.

The "BX1E" has a 14.5-metre wingspan and a maximum payload of 230 kg. It can fly at an altitude of 3,000 metres, Xinhua news agency reported.

It can be charged within two hours and can fly for 45 minutes to an hour at a maximum speed of 160 kmph.

The plane was designed by the Shenyang Aerospace University and Liaoning general aviation academy in the northeastern Liaoning province.

The first two planes were delivered to Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Co. Ltd. on Thursday.

According to the manufacturer, the aircraft can be used for pilot training, tourism, meteorology and rescue operations.

Each aircraft is priced at about one million yuan ($163,000).