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This is not true. It just requires rethinking the whole design of a plane. Density of energy is not everything. Batteries for example can be made structural, s
by nickik 5y ago
This is not true. It just requires rethinking the whole design of a plane. Density of energy is not everything.
Batteries for example can be made structural, so they actually replace part of the weight of a plane, while kerosene has to be carried like cargo. ICE engines are far less efficient too. And the TWR of electric engines is better too. That again reduced the structural loads.
Electric engines also don't need to oxygen and can potentially fly much higher, where there is less air resistance.
Even if you can't get as far, the price to operate these planes will be so much lower, that for the waste majority of the market they will simply be cheaper. Maybe more trips with multiple stops.
Maybe the very longest flights would still be out of reach with good lithium-sulfer batteries but I suspect at that point those flights will be economically not tenable anymore.