Beatrice Lang
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has expressed interest in developing an electric jet capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and supersonic speeds. Musk first mentioned this idea in 2018 during a podcast interview with Joe Rogan, acknowledging the challenges of creating an electric airplane and prioritizing other projects such as electric cars and solar panels. While critics question the feasibility of the technology, Tesla's track record of innovation and partnership with SpaceX engineers have sparked speculation about the potential for a revolutionary aircraft in the future. As of 2025, Musk and Tesla have announced a $13 billion electric aircraft project, taking a step towards electric aviation and sustainable energy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Elon Musk |
| Type of jet | Supersonic electric VTOL jet |
| Current status | Not invented yet |
| Challenges | Creating an electric propulsor capable of functioning at supersonic speeds, packaging problem with propulsion system |
| Musk's comments | "An electric airplane isn't necessary right now", "I've thought about this quite a lot", "All transport will be electric, except for rockets" |
| Musk's companies | Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, Neuralink, The Boring Company |
| Possible features | Vertical takeoff and landing, lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, AI-powered navigation |
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What You'll Learn
Elon Musk's electric jet design
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has expressed interest in developing a supersonic electric VTOL jet. VTOL stands for vertical take-off and landing, and Musk has periodically tweeted about his desire to create such an aircraft. However, it is unclear if he is serious about this endeavour, as some have dismissed the idea as a "running gag".
The concept of a supersonic electric VTOL jet presents several challenges. Firstly, the technology required to enable supersonic eVTOL flight does not yet exist. Additionally, there is a packaging problem with the propulsion system, as the thin, long fuselage of a supersonic jet may not accommodate multiple propulsors, which are necessary for VTOL flight. Furthermore, batteries may not be able to compete with jet fuel in terms of efficiency, as jet fuel has better energy density and adds mass and volume.
Despite these challenges, Musk's interest in the project may be genuine. He has stated that the world is moving towards all-electric transport, including planes and boats. Musk has also hinted at Tesla's potential expansion into the aviation industry, with the development of drones and other electric aircraft.
While the idea of a supersonic electric VTOL jet may seem far-fetched, Musk has a track record of innovating in the automotive industry and advancing electric vehicle technology. It remains to be seen whether he will pursue this ambitious project and bring it to fruition.
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Electric jet's propulsion system
Electric propulsion systems for aircraft have been an area of interest for innovators and environmentalists alike. The concept of a propulsion system that runs on electricity and air is attractive given the increasing focus on environmentally friendly solutions. The replacement of messy fossil fuels and noisy exhausts of conventional jet engines with carbon-neutral commercial flights is an enticing prospect.
The European Commission has financed several low TRL projects for innovative electric or hybrid propulsion aircraft. NASA has also been working on developing electric aircraft power systems, with the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) being used to design, develop, assemble, and test such systems.
Electric aircraft propulsion systems have been an area of focus for Honeywell, which has studied several different propulsion architectures. These range from legacy engines to all-electric, battery-based solutions. There are various hybrid architectures, including Turboelectric, Partial Turboelectric, Series Hybrid, Parallel Hybrid, and Series-Parallel Hybrid. All of these use electric motors in different ways as part of the overall propulsion system.
The main challenge with electric propulsion systems is the power storage required. While battery-electric motors have a higher efficiency of around 90% compared to 50% for jet engines, the specific energy of electricity storage was only 2% of aviation fuel in 2018. This ratio makes electric propulsion impractical for long-range aircraft, as a 930 km mission for a 12-passenger aircraft would require a six-fold increase in battery power density.
Elon Musk has also expressed interest in developing a supersonic electric VTOL jet. However, the technology needed to enable such a jet does not yet exist. The main challenge is creating an electric propulsor capable of functioning effectively at supersonic speeds. The packaging problem also applies to the propulsion system, as separate propulsors may be required for VTOL flight.
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Electric jet's feasibility
Electric jets are aircraft powered by electricity instead of jet fuel. They are seen as a way to reduce the environmental impact of aviation, providing zero emissions and quieter flights. The biggest challenge for electric jets is balancing the energy density of a battery power source. Battery energy is more than 40 times heavier than jet fuel, which means that the heavier the aircraft, the less lift it can produce. This is a major issue for electric jets as adding more power means adding more batteries, which increases weight.
The first crewed free flight by an electrically powered plane, the MB-E1, was made in 1973, and most crewed electric aircraft today are still experimental prototypes. Electric aircraft have been in development for some time, with NASA's Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) used to design, develop, assemble, and test electric aircraft power systems since at least 2014.
In 2017, the power available from batteries was estimated at 170 Wh/kg, while a gas turbine extracted 6,545 Wh/kg of shaft power from an 11,900 Wh/kg fuel. In 2018, lithium-ion batteries were estimated to give 160 Wh/kg while aviation fuel gave 12,500 Wh/kg. This 1:50 ratio makes electric propulsion impractical for long-range aircraft, as a 930 km mission for a 12-passenger aircraft would require a six-fold increase in battery power density.
However, battery-electric motors have a higher efficiency of around 90% compared to most jet engines at 50%. Lithium-ion batteries have been packing more power into smaller spaces for about 30 years, and improvements in this technology could help electric planes become a more feasible option for flying. Several companies are working on electric aircraft, with Sweden-based startup Heart Aerospace planning to start flight tests for its 19-seat planes in 2024 and commercial flights by 2026. US-based startup Wright Electric is aiming for bigger planes, retrofitting 100-seat aircraft with batteries for short routes, with the same anticipated timeline.
Elon Musk has expressed interest in developing a supersonic electric VTOL jet, but the technology does not yet exist to enable this. Musk has acknowledged that "an electric airplane isn't necessary right now", and that electric cars, solar energy, and stationary storage of energy are more important.
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Electric jet's design features
Electric jets are designed to be more efficient, more sustainable, and quieter than traditional aircraft. They aim to reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution, while also improving handling and response to weather changes. However, the technology for a fully electric jet is still in its infancy, and there are several challenges that need to be overcome before they can become a practical reality.
One of the main challenges is the energy density of battery power sources. Batteries are much heavier than jet fuel, which affects the lift and power of the aircraft. Additionally, the specific energy of electricity storage is only a fraction of aviation fuel, making electric propulsion impractical for long-range flights. To address this, researchers are exploring beyond-lithium-ion technologies, such as solid-state batteries and lithium-air batteries, which show promise for improving power storage and aircraft performance.
Another challenge is the design constraints of a supersonic jet. Achieving supersonic speeds with an electric jet requires a thin fuselage, which limits the placement of propulsors. This means that separate propulsors may be needed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, adding to the complexity of the design.
Despite these challenges, there have been advancements in electric aircraft development. For example, the Lilium Jet features 30 battery-electric motors within the main wings and canards' flaps, enabling vertical take-off and high speeds. The Alice, an all-electric commuter aircraft, completed its first journey in 2022 and can seat nine passengers with zero emissions. Additionally, hybrid electric aircraft, which combine electric power for take-off and landing with conventional engine power for cruising, offer a more practical approach for long flights while reducing the carbon footprint.
In conclusion, while electric jets face technical challenges, particularly in terms of energy density and supersonic design, advancements in battery technology and hybrid systems are bringing us closer to the reality of efficient and sustainable electric aviation.
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Electric jet's impact on aviation
Electric jets have the potential to significantly impact aviation, and the technology has been explored by several companies and individuals, including Elon Musk.
Elon Musk has expressed interest in developing a "more electric" or ""all-electric" aircraft capable of both vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and supercruise at very high altitudes. While the technology for a supersonic electric VTOL jet does not yet exist, the concept has sparked discussions and investigations into its feasibility.
The aviation industry is responsible for a growing share of global greenhouse gas emissions, and electric aircraft are seen as a potential solution to reduce environmental impacts and provide zero-emission, quieter flights. Electric aircraft use batteries to store energy, which is then fed into electric propellers, fans, or other devices that convert it into thrust. While electric aircraft have higher operating costs and face limitations in terms of range and battery technology, they offer higher efficiency compared to jet engines.
In the short term, electric aircraft are expected to have a limited contribution to aviation emissions reduction, but upgrades in technology could lead to more significant impacts in the medium to long term. Startups like Heart Aerospace are working towards commercializing electric planes, with plans to start flight tests in 2024 and potentially begin commercial flights by 2026.
While electric jets may not be practical for long-range flights due to battery limitations, they could be well-suited for short-haul flights and regional routes. The consolidation of electric aircraft technology is expected to reduce aircraft prices, maintenance requirements, and battery replacement costs, making it more convenient to deploy electric aircraft on these shorter routes.
The impact of electric jets on aviation will depend on advancements in battery technology and the development of alternative fuels. While electric jets may not completely replace traditional aircraft in the near future, they have the potential to play a significant role in reducing emissions and providing more sustainable aviation solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but he has expressed interest in the idea and has hinted at the possibility of Tesla producing electric aircraft in the future.
Elon Musk has described his idea for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) supersonic electric jet. However, the technology needed to achieve this does not currently exist.
In a 2018 interview on Joe Rogan's podcast, Musk acknowledged that "an electric airplane isn't necessary right now" and that electric cars, solar energy, and stationary storage of energy are more important priorities. He also noted that creating an electric aircraft is "incredibly difficult" due to regulatory requirements and the massive amount of effort needed to bring it to production.
The electric jet, if realized, could revolutionize urban air mobility, offering zero emissions, autonomous flying systems, high-speed travel, and solar integration.
There is no definitive timeline for when Musk's electric jet might become a reality. While he has expressed interest in the concept, he has also stated that it is not a near-term plan and that he wants to focus on other projects, such as electric cars and solar panels.
