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The interesting part to me is that a lot of current electric aircraft development seems to be waiting for battery technology to catch up. They're far ahead in t
by walrus01 1mo ago
The interesting part to me is that a lot of current electric aircraft development seems to be waiting for battery technology to catch up. They're far ahead in terms of the motors, propeller, electric propulsion control system. The limitation is the battery capacity.
Companies like Joby, Archer and others also seem to be taking the huge gamble that battery density in Watt-hours per kilogram will SIGNIFICANTLY increase in the next 5-10 years (before they run out of money/investors) making the range of their aircraft much greater, and more viable for commercial operation.
- IAmBroom 1mo agoAs noted elsewhere in this thread: probably ain't gonna happen. Battery energy density increases are tapering off. We may already be close to the maximum possible (where close means within a factor of 2 or so).
- walrus01 1mo agoI feel inclined to agree with this based on my observation of batteries that can actually be purchased (not hype PR things where people announce a miracle 450Wh/kg batttery). The electric VTOL companies in this niche that survive may ultimately end up with something like a small series hybrid that uses Jet-A fuel and has a single gas turbine engine driving a generator, along with batteries, and electric propulsion motors. Electric motors and gas turbine in use to lift off, consistent lower fuel consumption gas turbine -> electrical use during level cruise flight, then another burst of amperage and use of batteries during the landing phase.