Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travels weekly newsletter and stay updated on the latest news in aviation, food and drink, accommodations, and other travel developments. Spotting the distant Elektra Trainer aircraft was always a challenging endeavor.
The small two-seater plane, with its bright orange fuselage, was hardly noticeable as it appeared as a small, dark speck against the increasingly dark cloudy sky. Moreover, the electric engines of the aircraft ensured a nearly silent approach, providing no indicators of its whereabouts.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the battery-powered airplane made its appearance, capturing the attention of the E-Flight Challenge team. They eagerly gathered to witness its elegant descent onto the picturesque island of Norderney, situated along Germany's northwest coast. As the sun began to set on August 29, the landing signified the conclusion of the much-anticipated E-Flight Challenge 2023, where the Elektra Trainer aircraft, running solely on battery power, went head-to-head against the electric Lucid Motors Air sports car.
Both the aircraft and the car had left earlier that day from Gelnhausen, a grass airfield near Frankfurt-am-Main, approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) to the south, in a race to become the first to reach the island.
Conceived by a team of electric mobility enthusiasts, the objective of this spectacle was to demonstrate the increasingly advanced potential of this promising and rapidly evolving technology.
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The long road ahead for electric aviation
The E-Flight Challenge draws inspiration from the early days of aviation, when daring pioneers like Louis Blériot and Charles Lindbergh made groundbreaking achievements through competitive challenges.
A century later, this spirit of exploration has found its way into the realm of electric aviation, a growing niche within the industry with expanding capabilities. While electric cars have become increasingly popular worldwide, with countries like Norway witnessing a majority of new vehicle sales being electric, the same cannot be said for electric aviation.
Transatlantic airplanes are currently flying at supersonic speeds due to the following reasons:
The energy demands of airplanes, even the smallest ones, far surpass those of cars. The existing battery technology has not yet achieved the necessary energy density levels to fuel anything beyond the tiniest aircraft for a short trip. An excellent illustration of this is the Elektra Trainer, which is utilized in the E-Flight Challenge and has a maximum capacity of accommodating two individuals.
The existing batteries in the market lack sufficient power. Increasing the battery size in an aircraft is not a viable option as it would significantly increase the weight and negatively affect performance. Heart Aerospace, a leading electric aircraft developer, made a significant announcement in 2022. Despite receiving orders and investments from United Airlines and other industry players, they decided to abandon pure electric propulsion for their aircraft. Instead, they opted for a hybrid-electric approach to develop an airliner with a capacity of up to 30 seats, which is relatively small in the industry.
The tech isnt there â yet
The electric plane needed a recharging stop halfway on its 300-kilometer journey.
Miquel Ros
Italy's aircraft manufacturer Tecnam, which collaborated with Rolls-Royce and Norwegian regional airline Widerøe on an electric airliner project in 2021, has also revealed the suspension of its own electric aircraft project this summer after conducting three years of research. The company stated that it halted the project due to the immaturity of battery technology. However, recent statements made by battery developers provide promising justifications for optimism.
the potential to greatly increase energy density and revolutionize the electric vehicle industry.
In testing, it has been demonstrated that it can deliver 380 watt-hours per kilogram, resulting in a 40% increase. However, the electrification of larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-sized planes that dominate current air travel, still appears to be far off in the future.
Airbus and Boeing, two aerospace industry titans, are exploring alternative technologies like hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels in order to reduce carbon emissions. This is because the notion of a battery-powered commercial aircraft of such size appears to be currently unachievable. According to Robin Riedel, a partner at management consultancy firm McKinsey, due to the uncertainty surrounding these alternative technologies, a diversified approach is necessary. A combination of continued development and research is required to mitigate uncertainty and determine the most suitable solution for different market segments.
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In 2021, Riedel and the McKinsey team collaborated on a study which revealed that flights under 600 miles account for 17.4% of global commercial aviation emissions (excluding short flights by flight schools, light aircraft, and private aviation). This particular sector of the industry can be swiftly decarbonized by adopting innovative propulsion technologies already accessible, such as hybrid-electric, battery-electric, and hydrogen-fuel-cell electric planes.
The benefits would extend beyond the environment. With fewer components in electric motors compared to those powered by fossil fuels, supporters of electric aviation firmly believe that once the issue of limited range is resolved, the reduced maintenance and operational expenses of electric aircraft will persuade operators to transition.
Looking to the future
The challenge saw the vehicles cross Germany to the island of Norderney.
Berlin-based private aviation operator Air2E, eagerly awaits the emergence of electric aircraft and actively participated in the E-Flight Challenge. Norbert Werle, the founder and CEO of Air2E, draws a parallel between the current state of electric aircraft and the initial years of electric cars.
Tesla's initial foray into the market with the Roadster paved the way for their widespread recognition and success today. While the Roadster itself may not have achieved great acclaim, it played a crucial role in demonstrating the feasibility of creating desirable electric vehicles," he comments.
Werle remains optimistic that, similar to the potential impact of electric vehicles on the automotive industry, the advent of electric aircraft could alleviate some of the traffic congestion currently experienced on roadways, if cost reductions are achieved.
Some entrepreneurs are basing their business cases for new regional air mobility businesses on the assumption that electric-powered aircraft can be successful. Electra.aero is one such company, currently working on a hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft that can carry nine passengers or 2,500 lbs of cargo up to 500 miles. The main reason behind developing this aircraft is that its lower operational and environmental costs will make it possible to connect numerous underused airfields across the US and other countries, thus expanding the number of economically viable routes.
The firm based in Virginia, however, maintains a cautious approach towards all-electric aircraft and instead chooses to utilize hybrid-electric technology that combines fuel with an electric powertrain, analogous to hybrid cars. The firm believes that hybrid technology is the only viable option that can provide energy densities similar to those found in turboprop aircraft currently being used by numerous regional airlines.
According to John Langford, the founder and CEO, "Aircraft solely reliant on batteries are not a feasible solution for these missions in the foreseeable future. Despite recent advancements, it could take decades before battery technology achieves the necessary energy density required for commercially viable battery-only aircraft."
The day the car beat the plane
Moving from viable hybrid-electric to battery-only vehicles in the automotive industry took 15 years, and similarly, the aviation industry will likely require even more time. Embracing hybrid-electric aircraft represents a significant opportunity to address emissions today, with the potential for further improvements as battery technologies continue to advance.
The electric car romped home an hour before the plane arrived.
Miquel Ros
In this context, the E-flight Challenge served as an illustration of the challenges of electric flight - but also of its promise.
The aircraft team's Achilles heel was the range, which was not entirely unexpected.
The Elektra Trainer had to make a pitstop at Oerlinghausen airfield to recharge its batteries, which ultimately cost it the race. After reaching the ferry terminal on Germany's northern coast, the game was over for the car. The Lucid Motors team arrived at Norderney airport at 6.13 p.m. local time, seven hours after they had started, while the aircraft arrived about an hour later.
The organizers were not disappointed; in fact, they were ecstatic. The first one to arrive was of little consequence in the grand scheme.
"The achievement was in demonstrating the possibility of completing a fully electric cross-country flight in a single day. The advancements made in comparison to just three years ago are incredibly impressive!" elaborates Morell Westermann, one of the creators of the E-Flight Challenge.
In 2020, Westermann joined fellow electric aviation enthusiasts in completing a groundbreaking flight from the foothills of the Swiss Alps to Norderney Island. Although they flew a different model of electric aircraft, the route and destination remained the same. This remarkable flight achieved six world records, including the longest distance flown electrically, the fastest average speed over 100 kilometers, the highest altitude, and the fewest number of stopovers - all for electric-powered flights.
To put this achievement in perspective, the 700-kilometer (435-mile) itinerary required three days and 11 recharging stops. In contrast, the 2023 E-Flight Challenge spanned a distance of 300 kilometers between the Frankfurt area and the North Sea with only one stop.
The number of stops required for the next challenge is uncertain, but it is highly likely that continuous advancements in electric aviation will enable participants to go further and faster, while ensuring emissions are eliminated. Westermann, an electric plane enthusiast, boldly predicts that by 2026, technology will have advanced enough to allow for non-stop flights over this distance.
