All Electric Aircraft: A Revolutionary Concept in Aviation Industry

Abstract

An electric aircraft is an aircraft powered by electricity via electric motors which drive the propellers. Electricity may be supplied by batteries or solar cells. Aviation accounts for 2.5% of all fossil fuel derived CO₂ emission, a number that could triple by 2050. The adverse effect of CO₂ emissions on climate causing global warming, have recently become a major driving force for the development of electric aircraft. Aircraft powered by electric motors are 95% efficient compared to 18–23% of regular plane engines and are much more reliable. They have increased the air travel safety very much due to decreased chance of mechanical failure and there is less risk of fire. They are much quieter. The most remarkable thing is the cost of flying of e-plane. Once inducted in regular service it is likely to reduce the cost of air tickets by 40 to 80%. At present the potential of e-plane is limited to only short haul as the specific energy of electricity of commercially available battery is still only 2% of aviation fuel. A lithium-air battery which is under advanced state of development and is expected to be commercially available within 2 years is another option to extend beyond the horizon of lithium-ion battery. This new genre of batteries has the capacity to hold up to five times more energy than the same lithium-ion batteries and is likely to extend the range of flight by about three times in the near future. A handful of startups, as well as a few multinationals are working to make e-plane based on a completely new design philosophy which is of course is the best route. But approval of a new design by Aviation Authority would take a very long time. However, there is another route to all electric flight: converting existing fossil fuel aircraft into zero emission e-planes by retrofitting electric motor. Here at least one knows that the airframe works. All one must do is replacing the old heavy fossil fuel engines with a very lightweight electric motor. The battery pack can be installed in the void left by the fuel tanks in the belly of the plane. The economics is so good that Canada’s Harbour Air are planning to convert its entire fleet of more than 40 aircrafts adopting this route.