Driving the Electrification of the Aviation Industry

AI Quick Summary

Inspired by the success of the electric car, electrified mobility has expanded the skies with electric airplanes. With over 50 projects dedicated to electrify the aircrafts, only a handful of actors are working on the infrastructure that will support these vehicles. Inspired by the Tesla model, building out a reliable and easy to use infrastructure of chargers at airports, will drive the adoption of electrified aviation and the decarbonization of the skies. Since the inaugural flight of Solar Impulse around the world on solar energy in 2015-2016, zero-fuel aviation has been proven possible. Inspired by what is possible in zero-fuel aviation, over 50 international projects have been kicked off to help in the decarbonization of the air. In 2025, many of these projects will come to life and will release for sale elected planes that will serve for flight schools and short hall commercial flights. Based on my experience with customers of electrified vehicles and the aviation industry, range anxiety and Return On Investment (ROI) is the biggest problem that will limit the success of electrifying our skies. The success of the electric car adoption can be linked many factors such as government subsidies, growing number of charge points, greater taxation on Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), high gas prices, and limited access to big cities. Alternatively, for electrified aviation these factors are nonexistent and limiting the adoption of these vehicles. Despite the benefits of electrified aviation, the ROI to operate these vehicles is limited; discouraging businesses to buy electric planes.The limitations of an electrified plane's range cannot change in the short term, but extending their reach with charge points and a management software can support building a profitable business for their operation.By building a network of charging points at airports and aerodromes combined with a fleet management software, the problem of range is addressed and businesses such as flight clubs, schools, and short hall commercial airlines will now be able to build sustainable and profitable business resulting in the adoption of electrified aircrafts and the reduction of CO2 emissions in the aviation industry.

Project Idea Metadata

Project Idea Name: Driving the Electrification of the Aviation Industry
Date: 9/9/2024 1:06:41 PM
Administrators:
- Elie Maalouli

Project Idea Description

Since the inaugural flight of Solar Impulse around the world on solar energy in 2015-2016, zero-fuel aviation has been proven possible. Inspired by what is possible in zero-fuel aviation, over 50 international projects have been kicked off to help in the decarbonization of the air. In 2025, many of these projects will come to life and will release for sale elected planes that will serve for flight schools and short hall commercial flights. Based on my experience with customers of electrified vehicles and the aviation industry, range anxiety and Return On Investment (ROI) is the biggest problem that will limit the success of electrifying our skies.

The success of the electric car adoption can be linked many factors such as government subsidies, growing number of charge points, greater taxation on Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), high gas prices, and limited access to big cities. Alternatively, for electrified aviation these factors are nonexistent and limiting the adoption of these vehicles.

Despite the benefits of electrified aviation, the ROI to operate these vehicles is limited; discouraging businesses to buy electric planes.

The limitations of an electrified plane's range cannot change in the short term, but extending their reach with charge points and a management software can support building a profitable business for their operation.

By building a network of charging points at airports and aerodromes combined with a fleet management software, the problem of range is addressed and businesses such as flight clubs, schools, and short hall commercial airlines will now be able to build sustainable and profitable business resulting in the adoption of electrified aircrafts and the reduction of CO2 emissions in the aviation industry.