Zero-emission aircraft, future or hopes and dreams

Elysian, the Delft start-up, is developing a new type of aircraft that operates on electric batteries rather than using traditional kerosene fuel, which is harmful to the environment. Their first model, named the E9X, is planned to begin commercial flights in 2033. This aircraft aims to reduce pollution and reliance on fossil fuels by utilizing clean energy sources. The goal is to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to current aviation technology.

184 countries have pledged to achieve zero-emission flights by 2050. At present, progress towards this goal includes promising research into innovative technologies and new aircraft designs by start-ups. However, the current pace of aviation sustainability, such as the limited use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), indicates that we are falling behind. To meet the 2050 target, it is crucial to accelerate the development and adoption of new technologies to make substantial advancements in reducing emissions in aviation.

To make aviation more sustainable, they are developing a battery-electric aircraft that can carry 90 passengers and fly up to 800 kilometers on a single charge. They anticipate that future versions will be able to fly 1,000 kilometers. This aircraft will be cleaner and quieter than current models. Since half of all commercial flights are shorter than 1,000 kilometers, the design could potentially handle these flights, making them emission-free. They boldly project that by 2040, the aircraft could enable half of all flights to operate without emissions.

Many companies are exploring hydrogen aircraft and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), which are renewable alternatives to traditional aviation fuels. However, battery-electric flying is particularly interesting because it offers a direct and efficient way to reduce emissions. Battery-electric aircraft use electricity stored in batteries, which can be generated from clean energy sources, making them highly environmentally friendly. Unlike hydrogen or SAF, which still involve complex production and infrastructure challenges, battery-electric technology could provide a more straightforward and cleaner solution for aviation sustainability.

Electric flying is the most optimal way to use energy. There are three options within sustainable flying: with sustainable fuels that we call SAF, hydrogen and electric flying. With SAF, you have a lot of intermediate steps from the energy source to the engine. You have to generate it, make it, transport it, store it, get it into the plane and then use it. With every intermediate step, you lose a little bit of energy. With electric flying, you use about 77 percent of the energy you put into it. This means that a large part of the energy you start with is actually used. With sustainable fuels, this is only 13 percent. This means that electric flying is six times as energy-efficient as SAF. Hydrogen is somewhere in between. There you also have to deal with many intermediate steps: from production to transport and storage. That means a lot of loss. Hydrogen is about four times less energy-efficient than electric flying. Green energy is scarce. If we want to waste as little as possible, electrification is theoretically the best way. Hydrogen and SAF can then be used for longer distances and larger aircraft. That's the short version of the story.

It's commonly believed that electric aircraft are only feasible for short flights because batteries are not currently powerful enough for long distances. This is due to the fact that adding batteries makes the aircraft heavier, limiting its range and passenger capacity. However, this aircraft design addresses this challenge by improving battery technology and aircraft efficiency. They aim to demonstrate that electric flying can support longer flights and carry more passengers, overcoming the traditional limitations associated with battery weight.

The real strength of this aircraft lies in its innovative design. At Elysian, they focused on what’s possible with current technologies rather than relying on future, unproven battery advancements. A key design choice was integrating the battery packs directly into the wings. They opted for wide wings to hold more batteries, maximizing energy capacity. Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with eight propellers, enhancing its flight efficiency. This design is not just a modified version of existing planes; it’s a completely new concept created specifically for electric propulsion.

Feasible case

From an economic perspective, electric flying is very appealing compared to alternatives like SAF and hydrogen. Sustainable fuels are currently much more expensive than traditional aviation fuel, and producing hydrogen is also costly. In contrast, the production and charging of battery packs make electric flying the most financially attractive option. Additionally, the cost of batteries and green energy is expected to decrease over time, while prices for sustainable fuels and hydrogen are likely to remain stable. Although hydrogen may become slightly cheaper, electric flying will still offer a more cost-effective solution in the long run.

Battery-electric flying can effectively compete with traditional aircraft that use polluting kerosene, considering various financial aspects like aircraft purchase price, fuel costs, and maintenance expenses. The overall cost structure is very competitive with current commercial planes, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. In fact, battery-electric aircraft could offer lower operational costs, making them not only a sustainable option but also an economically attractive choice for airlines. This combination of sustainability and cost-effectiveness makes battery-electric flying a viable alternative in the aviation market.

Working on a plane with room for ninety people that can fly 800 kilometers, and in the future even 1,000 kilometers is quite a challenge. It has to make its first commercial flight in 2033. But that is still quite a lot to take in.

A conceptual design for the aircraft has already begun. Initially, a risk reduction phase is conducted to assess technological challenges and feasibility; so far, no major issues have been identified. Following this, a second design is created. The next step involves configuring and testing the aircraft components. Once everything is validated, the design is finalized, and the components are built, leading to the creation of a prototype, expected to be ready by 2030. After that, the aircraft must go through a certification process, which includes numerous test flights and will take about three years. Therefore, the first commercial flight is anticipated to occur in 2033.

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