Unless batteries vastly improve, it'll never take off.
I can see why why you wanted to remain anonymous. There are already fully electric planes in full production. One example is the Pipistrel - http://www.pipistrel.si/plane/alpha-electro/overview. Admittedly at the moment the range is limited by 1hour flying time, which is presumably why Boeing are working on the hybrid route. Airbus have also had a fully flying "eFan" prototype for over 2 years and announced a year ago that they were also entering the small commercial arena - https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-considering-19-seat-hybrid-electric-aircraft-427715/.
Looks like Boeing are playing catchup. Farming out to a smaller developer is probably more a matter of agility rather than risk avoidance (but that was probably factored in).
Biting the hand that feeds IT
