FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Will electric planes eventually replace fuel based aircraft ?
Old Nov 22, 2016 | 1:32 pm
  #29  
airsurfer
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Originally Posted by WorldLux


If

Add to that multiple other issues:
  • Charging the batteries is going to take considerably more time. More time on the ground = Less money for airlines
  • Maintenance of the batteries
  • Lithium isn't in infinite quantities available
  • Insufficent energy density
  • Complexity of the system: You'll need to cool the batteries on the ground (e.g. LAS, DXB, SYD where temperatures are that friendly to batteries) and to heat batteries while airborne and on the ground in colder countries.
The same with fossil fuel.
But you are right: Li batteries are not an option at all.
The energy beams sound very science fiction to me. But maybe somday in the 2080s it might be feasible....?
Then a 'magic' battery technology which does not have the big disadvantages of Li batteries is more probable.
In the 1970s we also never thought that within 50 years an electric car was possible.
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