7 Electric Aircraft That Will Shape the Future of Flying
Electric-powered aircraft may seem like a vague, future promise in the pursuit of decarbonizing aviation, but a handful of battery-powered planes are already in flight. These days, it's mostly limited to light, two-seat airplanes often used as trainers, but aviation experts think that by 2050, with expected developments in battery technology, many regional jets and turboprops could be electric. That's because electric motors driving a propeller or turbine produce an abundance of torque for a short period.
But the power draw required to support larger regional aircraft is still too much--and too heavy--with current battery systems. The bigger the battery, the more it weighs, and the higher chance of fire or other issues, so electrifying an aircraft is not as simple as an electric vehicle. Also, jet fuel's greater energy density--estimated to deliver 50 times more power for the same weight and volume as batteries--will be hard to replace in a marketplace that's resistant to change.
Most agree that battery development is key to an electric future. "Our focus areas include faster charging, energy recovery, the integration of new-generation cells, and the adoption of CCS charging commonality to streamline electric flight operations," says Gabriel Massey, president and managing director of Pipistrel, which has pioneered electric two-seat training aircraft. Electric engine specialist Safran doesn't see battery-powered aircraft entering the mainstream until about 2050. "We'll have to wait for major breakthroughs in terms of battery-energy density and high-voltage power management to have any hope of replacing thermal engines by electrical or hybrid-electric propulsion systems," a spokesperson told Robb Report. Still, that hasn't stopped some manufacturers like Pipistrel[1] from building light, battery-powered aircraft that are being used around the world.
Experimental electric aircraft are also taking flight: Eviation's[2] prototype aircraft Alice flew in September of 2023, while Aura Aero's Integral-E made its first flight on December 3. But it'll be several more decades before you can hop on a regional electric jet, though everyone believes it's coming.
-
Pipistrel & Textron eAviation
Image Credit: Pipistrel
Pipistrel Velis Electro Pipistrel is the pioneer electric plane-maker in the training space.
It has leveraged its new association as a subsidiary to Textron[3], which owns the Cessna and Beechcraft[4] aircraft brands, as a key part of Textron eAviation. Pipistrel has already delivered more than 100 of its Velis Electro models, both in the U.S. and Europe, where certification came in 2021. Korum Ellis, who founded FlyOnE in Australia, has been flying the electric trainers for four years, to prove that electric aircraft can decarbonize flight training and eventually deliver short-hop regional trips. "We've now flown over 1,800 electric passenger movements, over 1,200 hours of electric training, and nearly 100,000 passenger miles--all electric!" said Ellis.
The Slovenian aircraft maker's second-generation batteries improve on the Electro's performance and reliability. "These advanced batteries offer increased energy density, enabling longer flight durations and more efficient power management than previous versions," Gabriel Massey, president and managing director of Pipistrel, told Robb Report. The Electros are also cost-efficient, especially for flight training. "Cost is a major hurdle for many aspiring pilots, and the Electro helps reduce this barrier by lowering both acquisition costs for flight schools and operational costs for students, making it more feasible to pursue a pilot certificate," says Massey.
-
Safran Powers Up
Image Credit: VoltAero
Volt Aero Cassio 330 French conglomerate Safran has also led the charge in developing commercially viable electric aircraft motors.
Four new aircraft, currently undergoing certification, use Safran's ENGINeUS 100 motors. They include Diamond's four-seat eDA40, Aura Aero's two-seat Integral-E, CAE's update to the four-seat Piper Archer trainer and VoltAero's Cassio 330 (pictured), which has a hybrid propulsion system that uses the ENGINeUS 100. Safran has also created a line of electric power packs--the energy storage systems necessary to "bank" energy for use on demand.
According to a Safran spokesperson, the company is also developing ways to make electric power more efficient throughout the aircraft.
-
Airbus, Daher, and EcoPulse
Daher EcoPulse One application of Safran's ENGINeUS 50 kW motor can be found on board a collaborative demonstrator project called EcoPulse, a joint project between Safran and French aircraft manufacturers Daher and Airbus. It hinges upon the concept of hybridization that combines the advantages of an internal combustion engine (range) with an electric motor (efficiency at low speeds).
While your car can recoup energy via regenerative braking on downhill segments, the hybrid aircraft model is a bit different. The electric motor is used to start the aircraft and taxi, while the combustion engine kicks in to boost the takeoff and climb. Cruise engages the traditional engine and recharges the battery for low-power descent and landing--but the pilot ensures the combustion engine is waiting if the landing is rejected.
Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft, told Robb Report his firm is "clearly focused on the hybrid configuration" when it comes to decarbonizing aviation. "EcoPulse enabled us to learn a lot about what we realistically can--and cannot--do with hybrid propulsion, as well as with the distribution and the storage of energy for an aircraft in the category of the Daher TBM[5]," he adds. The extra battery weight also requires new lightweight aerostructures, which Daher's parent company is developing for hybrid aircraft designs.
-
MagniX and the de Havilland Beaver
Image Credit: Harbour Air
Harbour Air de Havilland Beaver The MagniX series of powertrains have been designed to replace piston and gas turbine engines in regional turboprop aircraft.
MagniX manufactures the magni350 and magni650 electric engines and combines them with their proprietary battery systems to deliver full electric powertrains. The electric engines include a lightweight electric motor and multiple sets of lightweight power electronics, while the battery system is made up of the PDX800, a power distribution unit, and the company's proprietary Samson300 battery modules. The most accessible application of the magni650 so far is a partnership with Harbour Air in Vancouver, British Columbia.
An ePlane Conversion Program will pack the new powertrain into a true classic: the de Havilland Beaver[6] on floats, which also makes the ideal test aircraft for an electric motor.
Harbour Air has successfully put the eBeaver through extensive flight testing.
References
- ^ Pipistrel (robbreport.com)
- ^ Eviation's (robbreport.com)
- ^ Textron (robbreport.com)
- ^ Beechcraft (robbreport.com)
- ^ Daher TBM (robbreport.com)
- ^ de Havilland Beaver (robbreport.com)