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For an existing electric aircraft (Pipistrel Alpha), the fuel cost advantage is claimed to be 10x of equivalent ICE-powered model.

• tyingq 5y ago
  ICE Pipistrel: "Poweredby the Rotax 912 80 HP engine it burns only 2.5 US gal (9.5 litres) of ordinary mogas fuel per hour"[1] $6/gallon would be way on the high side estimate for mogas, so say $15 total, so we're sure to be generous. Electric Pipistrel: "The cost of electricity per hour of flight is roughly between $4 and $6," said Krzysztof Będkowski of Pipistrel Alpha Poland."[2] I can't work out how $4-6/$15 is 1/10. Is is attractive, for sure. Again, I'm not disputing electric is cheaper, but the claim of 1/5th the cost is pretty extraordinary. [1] https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/aircraft/flight-training/alpha/ https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/aircraft/flight-training/... [2] https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-plane-charges-in-hour-can-cover-160km-2019-6 https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-plane-charges-in-ho...
  • Zircom 5y ago
    Probably referring to total cost savings, not just fuel savings. As mentioned other places in this thread, electric motors have less/simpler maintenance needs than ICE engines and the TOTAL labor/parts/fuel savings is probably where the 1/5 or 1/10 claims come in.
    • tyingq 5y ago
      Possibly. I was responding to "the fuel cost advantage is claimed to be 10x" though.