Electric Aircraft-The most affordable aircraft of the future
An electric aircraft is one that is propelled by electricity, typically using a single or many electric motors that turn propellers.The most popular way to supply electricity is using batteries, but there are other options as well.
Why do we require electric aircraft?
One of the hardest obstacles to climate change is still
air travel. 2% of the carbon dioxide emissions in the world are caused by
aviation. Additionally, the nitrogen oxides and particles that aeroplanes emit
while cruising can have a warming effect. An industry body called the Air
Transport Action Group estimates that aviation supports 63 million jobs and
adds $2.7 trillion to the global economy.And as the world economy expands, so
will aviation's impact on climate change.Compared to the rising pace of air
travel, the potential for lowering CO2 emissions is insufficient.You're out of
options if you consider the potential for lowering aircraft CO2 that have been
studied for a while.Most airlines' largest single expense is fuel, so they
already have a strong incentive to utilise it sparingly.Electric aeroplanes are
necessary as a result of these factors.
How far along are electric aircraft currently?
The use of electric aircraft could result in
emissions-free travel.They also open up a whole new range of aircraft design
options and even fresh commercial strategies for the aviation industry.Even
though there are still significant technical obstacles to overcome, researchers
and some members of the industry do anticipate that electric aircraft will take
off.
The Solar Impulse 2 aircraft flew around the globe in
2016 using only solar energy.Even though the $170 million aircraft could only
carry one passenger and reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour, it demonstrated
what was feasible.
Diamond Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft is well-positioned to provide the eDA40,
an all-electric alternative, to the General Aviation industry.Diamond Aircraft
has always been committed to provide the training sector with eco-friendly and
affordable options.The first EASA/FAA Part 23 certified electric aircraft with
DC fast charging will be the eDA40, a variant of the already existing and
certified DA40 platform.Initial eDA40 flights are anticipated in Q4 2022.End of
2023 or beginning of 2024 is anticipated for certification.
Faradair
Image courtesy of Faradair
Faradair intends to create and market a hybrid-electric
passenger aircraft for the regional aviation industry.It might have up to 19
seats and be propelled by an electric motor-driven fan.A little gas turbine
would supply the required electricity.The aircraft will be in the air by 2025,
and commercial use will begin in 2027. Neil Cloughley, the company's chief
executive, says that such a plane would have a lot less moving parts than a
typical propeller aircraft, making it less expensive to operate.Additionally,
it would be much quieter and emit fewer emissions.
The Institute of Aircraft Design at the University of
Stuttgart,Germany
Image courtesy of University of Stuttgart's Institute of Aircraft Design
For many years, electric aircraft like the e-Genius have
been in development.Dr. Andreas Strohmayer, director of the University of
Stuttgart's Institute of Aircraft Design, notes that "the specific energy
of today's batteries is far beyond what you would require."The Institute
initially flew its own experimental two-seater electric plane, the e-Genius,
more than 10 years ago. Since the mid-1990s, the Institute has been studying
the potential of electric and hybrid aviation.He continues, "We construct
our own battery systems for our electric aircraft. His opinion is that modern
technology can be used to create small, light electric aircraft with up to six
seats.Even though it would be "near the edge of what is now
conceivable," he thinks it should be possible to construct a commuter
plane with up to 19 seats that runs solely on batteries.
Eviation
Image courtesy of Eviation
The nine-seater Alice aircraft being built by the Israeli
company Eviation would fall under this heading.The aeroplane, which has been in
development for a while, is intended to go up to 600 miles entirely on
electricity.In contrast, anything larger would require a hybrid design,
combining electric motors with internal combustion engines or on-board
generators.
Airbus
Image courtesy of Airbus
Airbus' ZEROe project seeks to have a commercial
aeroplane with zero emissions in the air by 2035.However, such technology is
not expected to be of much value on long-haul flights, which may help to
explain why Airbus, a major player in the European aerospace industry, has
determined that its own priorities lie elsewhere.Airbus research teams are
working on cryogenic and superconducting technologies for electric aircraft.
According to Dr. Sandra Bour Schaeffer, the division's chief executive,
"Our objective is to bring the first zero-emission commercial aircraft
based on hydrogen to the market in 2035."
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