An electric airplane prototype gets ready for take off.

Nova: Great Electric Airplane Race

Airing Wednesday, June 29 at 8 p.m.

Can new emission-free electric planes replace our polluting airliners and revolutionize personal transportation in our cities? NOVA takes you for a ride in some impressive prototypes that are already in the air, from speedy single-seat planes that can take off like a helicopter but are half as noisy to “self-flying” air taxis that are already taking passengers on test flights in Chinese cities. But if electric airplanes are ever to advance beyond small, short-haul craft, significant hurdles of battery weight, energy storage, and cooling remain to be overcome. How long will it be before the dream of super-quiet, super-efficient airliners becomes a reality?

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A view of Phoenix with the PBS logo and text reading: Annual Luncheon
Dec. 18

Join us for the Arizona PBS Annual Luncheon

PBS Books Readers Club graphic with several book covers featured in 2025

Join us for PBS Books Readers Club!

TV towers on South Mountain in Phoenix

Show Low to receive new channel number, more powerful signal

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