Beatrice Lang
The aviation industry is currently facing the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint. One possible solution is the use of electric planes, which have been gaining traction in recent years. While electric aircraft may sound futuristic, the first electronically powered flight took place in 1883. Recent advances in battery technology have led to the development of fast road vehicles, but powering large commercial aircraft over long distances remains a challenge. This is because today's lithium-ion batteries do not offer the same energy density as jet fuel, and the weight of the batteries required to power a large plane would take up a significant portion of the aircraft's total weight. However, some companies are making progress in developing electric planes, with small battery-powered planes already on the market and larger aircraft in the works. So, is it possible to have an electric jumbo jet?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of electric jumbo jets | Currently, the energy density of jet fuel is much higher than that of batteries, making it a more efficient option for powering jumbo jets. However, there is ongoing research and development in the field of electric aviation, and smaller electric aircraft are already in use for short-haul flights. |
| Carbon emissions | Aviation contributes approximately 2.5% of total CO2 emissions, and the use of electric planes could help reduce the carbon footprint of the industry. |
| Battery weight | Batteries for electric planes can be heavy, impacting the overall weight and energy output of the aircraft. |
| Range | Electric planes are currently limited to short-haul flights due to battery weight and energy output constraints. |
| Infrastructure | The development of electric planes requires building and infrastructure expansion, which can also contribute to CO2 emissions. |
| Alternative fuels | Hydrogen fuel and hybrid electric-jet fuel aircraft are also being explored as potential alternatives to traditional jet fuel. |
| Future prospects | Electric aircraft, including jumbo jets, may become a reality in the coming years, with some predictions as early as 2026. |
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What You'll Learn
Battery weight and energy output
The primary obstacle to creating a battery-powered jumbo jet is energy density, which is the amount of energy that can be stored in a given space or mass. Jet fuel has a specific energy (energy per mass) of around 43 MJ/kg, while current lithium-ion batteries have a specific energy of around 0.9 MJ/kg, with an upper limit of 1.44 to 1.8 MJ/kg. This means that jet fuel has nearly 50 times greater energy density than current lithium-ion batteries and still 24 to 30 times greater than the theoretical upper bound.
The energy density of batteries would need to double or even quadruple to enable the short routes that startups are aiming for. This would likely require novel types of batteries to reach commercialization. While some alternative technologies, like green hydrogen, have higher energy densities, they would need to be produced economically at scale to be viable.
The weight of batteries is also a significant challenge for electric aircraft. Batteries weigh the same whether they are full or empty, so a battery-powered jet would need to carry the heavy batteries throughout the entire flight. This would require stronger landing gear and tires, increasing weight and design/manufacturing costs. Additionally, the extra weight would result in faster landings, requiring longer runways and more energy-absorbent brakes.
The lack of weight reduction due to inflight fuel burn is another obstacle for electric planes. As a jet cruises, it burns fuel and lightens its weight, improving performance and reducing the weight considered in designing aircraft and airports. In contrast, battery discharge does not produce significant mass reduction, limiting the range of electric aircraft.
While lithium-ion batteries have shown promise in projects like the Solar Impulse II, which flew 7,212 km across the Pacific, they have also faced challenges with overheating. Overall, while electric aircraft offer the potential for significant emissions reductions, improvements in battery technology, particularly in energy density and weight, are needed to make electric jumbo jets a viable option.
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Alternative energy sources
Electric planes are not yet common despite the prevalence of electric cars. This is due to the large amount of energy required to power a plane, which batteries are currently unable to provide in a small and light enough package.
However, this could change in the future as battery technology improves. Batteries have been getting more powerful relative to their weight for around 30 years, and this trend is expected to continue. If batteries can double their energy density, they could enable the short routes that startups are aiming for. If they can quadruple it, they could play a significant role in decarbonizing air travel.
In the meantime, other alternative energy sources are being explored for aviation. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are produced from sustainable feedstocks like cooking oil, animal waste oil, solid waste from homes, and forestry waste. They can be blended with traditional jet fuel to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%. However, they are currently two to four times more expensive than jet fuel. Hybrid-electric planes are another option, and could reduce emissions by up to 50%.
Solar power is another alternative energy source for aviation, but it is not expected to be the green future of air travel. The Solar Impulse 2, a jumbo jet–sized plane with 17,000 solar cells and four lithium-polymer batteries, can only carry a single passenger at a top speed of 43 miles per hour. Cramming enough solar panels onto a 747 to lift 370 tons is unlikely to be feasible.
Other ways to make air travel greener include slimming down planes, streamlining air traffic operations, and using electric taxiing to cut fuel use on the runway. NASA and Boeing are also working on a new wing design that could cut fuel use by 50%.
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Physics and engineering challenges
Several engineering and physics challenges need to be addressed to make an electric jumbo jet possible.
One of the main challenges is the power-to-weight ratio. Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in electric vehicles, have a significantly lower energy density than jet fuel. As a result, a large number of heavy batteries would be required to power a jumbo jet, which could take up a substantial amount of the plane's weight and space. For instance, it has been estimated that about 35 tons of batteries would be needed to power a Boeing 737, which would take up 60% of the plane's total weight compared to just 30% with jet fuel. This challenge is further exacerbated when considering the range and duration of the flight, as longer flights would require even more batteries, adding to the weight and space constraints.
Another engineering challenge is the design of the aircraft itself. To accommodate the large number of batteries required, the plane's design would need to be modified, including the addition of larger wings. This could impact the aerodynamics and handling of the aircraft, requiring innovative solutions to ensure efficient flight and compliance with aviation regulations.
Furthermore, the electrical systems and infrastructure required to support electric jumbo jets present significant challenges. The electrical systems would need to be designed to handle the high power requirements of the aircraft, and the infrastructure to support charging and maintenance of these systems would need to be developed. This includes the availability of charging stations and the management of battery disposal or recycling, especially considering the weight and size of the batteries required.
In addition, the economic viability of electric jumbo jets is a critical consideration. The cost of producing and operating these aircraft, including the price of batteries and associated infrastructure, needs to be competitive with traditional jet fuel-powered planes. While electric planes can significantly reduce carbon emissions, the upfront costs and operational challenges must be addressed to make them a feasible option for airlines and passengers.
Lastly, safety considerations are paramount in aviation. The use of batteries and electrical systems in aircraft introduces new safety concerns, including the risk of electrical faults, battery fires, and the potential impact of radiation on sensitive equipment. Thorough testing and the development of safety protocols would be essential to ensure the safe operation of electric jumbo jets.
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Carbon footprint reduction
Electric jumbo jets are not yet a reality, but several companies are working on making aviation more sustainable. The aviation industry is responsible for 2.5% of the world's carbon emissions, and it is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize. However, there are ways to reduce the carbon footprint of air travel.
Firstly, electric propulsion technologies are being explored as a way to reduce carbon emissions. While battery power, turboelectric, and hybrid electric approaches are all possible, electric propulsion faces challenges when applied to larger aircraft. The power requirements for propulsion in jumbo jets are immense, and electric propulsion systems may not be able to meet these demands without improvements in weight, efficiency, and heat rejection. Additionally, the technology is still immature, and a full transition to electric propulsion is not expected to significantly reduce aviation's carbon emissions in the first half of the 21st century.
Another approach to reducing the carbon footprint of aviation is to explore alternative propellants and fuels. Sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen, biofuels, and electric aircraft have been suggested as alternatives to standard jet fuel, which has remained unchanged since 1990. While biofuels and other alternatives currently represent a tiny fraction of global demand, their increased use could lead to lower carbon emissions.
In the meantime, there are ways to offset the carbon emissions associated with private jet travel. Some private jet companies offer carbon offset programs, and there are specialized companies dedicated to offsetting carbon emissions from private jets. Additionally, individuals can commit to reducing their private jet use until more sustainable options become available.
While the development of electric jumbo jets may not be feasible in the short term, a combination of alternative fuels, improved energy efficiency, and carbon offsetting strategies can contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in the aviation industry.
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Cost and competitiveness
The cost and competitiveness of electric jumbo jets are key considerations in their potential future viability. While electric aircraft have been in existence since 1883, and recent advances in battery technology have led to the development of electric cars and fast road vehicles, several challenges remain for the aviation industry.
One of the primary challenges is the power-to-weight ratio. Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in electric cars, have a significantly lower energy density than jet fuel. As a result, a large number of heavy batteries would be required to power a jumbo jet, potentially taking up a substantial amount of space and weight capacity. This would limit the number of passengers and cargo that could be carried, impacting the cost-effectiveness of the aircraft.
However, advancements in battery technology may provide a solution. For example, Israeli manufacturer Eviation is developing the Alice, a nine-passenger electric aircraft that utilizes a high-energy-density battery system. This system is designed to be competitive with other means of transport in terms of cost and passenger capacity. Additionally, aviation startup Elysian has created the E9X, a plane powered by electric batteries that can carry 90 people and travel up to 500 miles.
Another approach to improving cost competitiveness is through the use of hybrid-electric aircraft, which combine electric power with traditional jet fuel. This approach can reduce fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining the range and passenger capacity of traditional jet fuel-powered aircraft. Ampaire's Electric EEL, a three-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft, completed a 341-mile test flight in 2020, demonstrating the potential of this technology.
While the development of cost-competitive electric jumbo jets faces challenges, particularly in terms of battery technology and weight constraints, advancements in the field suggest that electric aircraft may become a viable option in the near future. The push for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Climate Accords, has accelerated investment and innovation in electric-powered technology, bringing us closer to the reality of electric jumbo jets.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric planes are possible and have been possible since the first electronically powered flight in 1883. However, electric jumbo jets are not yet possible due to the weight and energy output of batteries.
The main challenge is the power-to-weight ratio of batteries. Jumbo jets require a lot of energy to fly, and batteries that can output enough energy tend to be very heavy. This weight takes up a large portion of the plane's total weight, leaving less room for passengers and cargo.
Hydrogen fuel has been suggested as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to its higher energy density. Another alternative could be a nuclear-powered airplane, although this would require heavy shielding to protect the humans on board from radiation.
Yes, there are a few electric planes in operation today, although they are mostly small planes with a limited range. For example, the EasyJet-backed Wright 1 is designed to transport passengers for just one hour. Airbus’ E-Fan 1.1 became the first electric plane to cross the English Channel in 2015, and Israeli manufacturer Eviation is currently constructing a nine-passenger electric private jet called Alice. Aviation startup Elysian has also created the E9X, a plane powered by electric battery that can hold 90 people and travel up to 500 miles.
