Aviation industry stalwart Rolls-Royce has announced that a joint program of the UK Aerospace Technology Institute, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK called ACCEL, has set new records for speed and time to climb for electric powered aircraft. The single seat aircraft called ”Spirit of Innovation” travelled a 345 mph for 3 km, achieving a peak speed of 387 mph. The records were set with a bespoke 6000 cell triple battery pack built by electric aviation specialist Electroflight and a 500 hp axial flux motor developed by automotive EV supplier YASA.Electrification of cars and trucks is ongoing, but electric watercraft are only now developing. This may accelerate as General Motors has announced a 25% stake in Seattle-based Pure Watercraft, a maker of electric outboard motor systems. Pure watercraft’s current technology uses a 50 hp equivalent power unit mounted on a conventional transom, powered by one or more modular batteries that can be fitted anywhere in the hull of most recreational watercraft. GM expects to help Pure Watercraft scale production with the automaker’s assembly line expertise and supply chain management knowledge.Access all episodes of This Week in Engineering on engineering.com TV along with all of our other series.