What is the basis for this? Fuel is extremely energy dense, we do not yet have battery tech even close to its energy density by mass [1]. Most of the weight an

What is the basis for this? Fuel is extremely energy dense, we do not yet have battery tech even close to its energy density by mass [1]. Most of the weight and aerodynamic footprint of a plane is not fuel weight but airframe and contents. You seem to be implying that electric planes will have substantially different aerodynamic properties (high speed cruising at low altitude, no more takeoff expense, "gliding" at reasonable cruise speed) Further, in terms of wasted weight batteries seem perhaps worse than fuel, because while you can fly a plane on shorter flights with tanks partially empty, it is much harder to reduce battery weight per flight. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density