Carolyn McCall, chief executive of easyJet, says the company has teamed up with US firm Wright Electric which is developing a battery-propelled aircraft to use on short-haul routes. Tony McDonough reports

Low-cost airline easyJet is contemplating a “future without jet fuel” as it looks to develop electric planes.

The carrier, the biggest at Liverpool John Lennon Airport by passenger numbers, says such aircraft could by flying short-haul routes within a decade.

Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of easyJet, says the company has teamed up with US firm Wright Electric which is developing a battery-propelled aircraft.

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The aircraft would be suitable for short-haul flights under two hours – Liverpool to Paris or Nice, for example – and would be 50% quieter and 10% cheaper than conventional jet planes and would slash emissions.

Ms Call said: “For the first time in my career I can envisage a future without jet fuel and we are excited to be part of it.

“It is now more a matter of when, not if, a short-haul electric plane will fly.”

Wright has already built a two-seater prototype  and is working towards an aircraft that could carry at least 120 passengers.

Peter Duffy, easyJet’s commercial officer, added: “You’re seeing cities and countries starting to talk about banning diesel combustion engines. That would have been unthinkable just a short time ago.

“As technology moves on, attitudes shift, ambitions change and you see opportunities you didn’t see. This is genuinely exciting.”