In 2013, the E1000 was launched, intended to be a type certificated, upgraded Epic LT kit plane. In 2014, Epic stopped selling the kit plane, the 54th and final one was delivered in the second quarter of 2019. In February 2014 Epic had ten orders for the type and initial deliveries were targeted for the second half of 2015. In early 2014 the design was forecast for its first flight in June 2015, with certification then expected later in 2015. By October 2014, it had 60 orders and Epic targeted 50 sales per year. In October 2014 the manufacturer introduced the interior design which includes features such as club seating, adjustable tray tables in the cabin sidewalls, pockets large enough to stow a tablet computer, USB power outlets, cup holders and light-emitting diode light switches. The Garmin G1000 navigation system will include a synthetic vision system. It includes SPD-Smart Electronically Dimmable Window Systems. In 2015, certification slipped to 2016. and the company forecast commencing deliveries in 2016, as well. The first flight occurred on 19 December 2015 and Epic reported "more than" 60 orders. In May 2016 the first conforming prototype was under construction and certification was then expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016, with customer deliveries forecast for early 2017. In October 2017 Epic reported 76 outstanding orders. The first prototype had accumulated 400 hours, while the production-conforming second prototype was nearing first flight. Russian-owned Epic was hoping at that time to complete type certification in 2018. The second prototype flew in January 2018. In 2018 the company hoped to convert its 85 reservations into firm orders and planned a production capacity of 50 aircraft per year. By 2018 the company had 250 employees, enough funds for certification and the initial production years. Eight to 12 aircraft are planned to be delivered in 2019, 24 in 2020, 36 in 2021 and 50 thereafter, with an ultimate market forecast of 80 to 90 units per year. The fuselage was tested to 18 psi, nearly three times its normal 6.6 psi pressurization, while the wing was tested to, deflecting to. By September 2018, after 700 hours of flight tests, Epic Aircraft maintained it would achieve its year-end type certification goal, with production certification following six months later. By November 2018, the two prototypes had accumulated 800 hours and Epic expected US type inspection authorization in December for an early 2019 type certification and deliveries soon after, a two-year delay from earlier forecasts. The final Epic LT kit plane was completed in June 2019. In November 2019, the design was FAAtype certificated after a seven-year development effort, with the two prototypes completing more than 1,000 hours of flight testing. Initial customer deliveries against the existing 80 aircraft on order were planned before the end of 2019. After delays imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, in July 2020 the company received its FAA production certificate for the aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered in February 2020 before being leased back to Epic to support engineering projects, and the second aircraft was delivered in May.
