The Transition to Electric Aviation
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The interest in electric aviation has grown because it eliminates the emission of harmful pollutants during flight, enhancing environmental sustainability and mitigating climate change
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The range of battery-powered flight and the scope of improvement of battery technologies are some of the major challenges for the companies
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According to GlobalData, 18,930 patents related to electric aircraft were published between 2017 and 2021
The Transition to Electric Aviation
In February 2022, Israeli aviation start-up Eviation announced that the first all-electric commercial passenger aircraft was set to be unveiled within a few weeks. If the electric aircraft clears all the tests and launches successfully, it will be the most convincing show of the potential of battery-powered flight until now. Although it is unlikely that the aircraft will be tested to its limits within the early days itself, it is reportedly capable of a maximum speed of 463km/h and a range of 815km.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) noted that electric aviation sparked a growing interest within the aviation industry. It hosted a webinar on the same agenda – “Battery technology, fueling Aviation Electrification” – in March 2021. The increasing interest is because of the carbon emission-free nature of electric aviation, which reduces environmental damage resulting from air travel. Electric aircraft will also help combat noise pollution resulting from air travel, a growing environmental concern near airports.
The Market Landscape
In recent years, stakeholders within the aviation industry, from start-ups to behemoths, have been focusing on the success of the battery-powered flight. The benefits of and applications of electric aircraft are myriad. From cleaner commercial aviation to air taxis and even to space launches, a range of electronic aircraft is being developed, with the potential to spark a widespread change in aviation.
In February 2022, one of the top executives at Rolls-Royce Holding Plc stated that the engine maker expects to develop an all-electric small aircraft in three to five years. It will be the first application of P-Volt, a battery-electric system innovation of Rolls-Royce. The battery system will offer 600kWh of power, facilitating flight for six to eight people over a range of 80 nautical miles. Improvement in battery technology will enhance the flight range, which is projected to expand to 216 nautical miles in the 2030s.
Some of the start-ups operating in the space are:
MagniX, an electric motor manufacturer for electric aircraft, has partnered with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Desaer to develop a hybrid-electric version of one of Desaer’s regional aircraft. The aircraft will use two Magni350 electric propulsion units designed by MagniX and two gas-fueled turboprop engines. According to MagniX, the configuration would allow 25% to 40% fuel savings, depending on the flight range. The passenger version of the airplane will be able to seat 19, and deliveries are expected by 2026.
Joby Aviation is one of the companies in this space with its electric flying taxi program while working alongside NASA to create aerodynamic innovations for the space agency’s X-57 Maxwell. The company’s objective is to create an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) craft that can transport four passengers to their destination at 200mph (322km/h) and with zero emissions. In January 2020, Joby raised $590 million in Series C funding, including $394 million from Toyota Motor Corporation – which will offer its vehicle manufacturing expertise.
Beta Technologies is another company within the eVTOL space. Beta is working on creating an air fleet for commercial operations such as defense, medical, and cargo logistics. The company has already secured partnerships with UPS and United Therapeutics. In a funding round led by Fidelity Management, Beta Technologies secured $368 million in funding in May 2021. This funding round valued the company at $1.4 billion.
While electric aviation has attained prominence and visibility, there is still a long road ahead for electric aircraft to become a sizeable commercial offering. One of the challenges in these early stages is the range of battery-powered flights and the scale of improvement expected from battery technologies. Additionally, the hydrogen-powered flight could be a natural substitute and source of competition for electric flight, as it also ensures a reduction in emissions. Airbus is working on developing hydrogen-powered aircraft and seeks to mass-produce the same by 2035.
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