A prototype, all-electric airplane took its first flight Tuesday morning in central Washington State, the United States.

The Seattle Times reported that if the Federal Aviation Administration eventually certifies the small airplane to carry passengers, it could become the first all-electric commercial airplane.

The plane, built by startup Eviation to carry nine passengers and up to two pilots, took off from Moses Lake, Washington, at 7:10 a.m. Tuesday and landed eight minutes later.

The company's goal is to show that such electric planes are viable as commuter aircraft, flying at an altitude of about 15,000 feet (4,572 meters).

The plane, designed by engineers in the U.S. and Israel, is powered by 21,500 small Tesla-style battery cells.