Actually, the range of current planes is absolutely fuel mass limited. The 777-LR, which can reach these distances, carries up to 145 000 kg of fuel. This is 42

Actually, the range of current planes is absolutely fuel mass limited. The 777-LR, which can reach these distances, carries up to 145 000 kg of fuel. This is 42% of its maximal take-off weight [1]. As a result of added weight for longer distances, planes use the least amount of fuel/km on flights of 2500 km, despite the extra fuel used to take off [2] An electric plane flying 2000 km as opposed to 15 000 km would require an even larger proportion of their take of weight as batteries, and would thus not be able to carry a lot of passengers/cargo on such a relatively short flight. It will require a fundamental breakthrough to make passenger flights of that distance economically feasible. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_777#Specifications https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_777#Specifications [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_economy_in_aircraft#/media/File:777-224_fuel_burn-range.png https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_economy_in_aircraft#/medi...