The future of jets is electric! That’s right, the electric plane is the future jet. Just as we’ve watched electric cars make a rise to the top, we’ll soon see the same happen with airplanes.
Although this might seem like a new idea to many people, it’s actually not. Electric planes have been in the making for quite some time now. Electric flight, first tested in the 1800s, has kept the innovations coming.
Thanks to technology and battery improvements, we’re now closer than ever before to releasing the first electric plane for commercial use. Continue reading for 8 things you should know about electric planes.
1. Quieter Landings and Take Offs
One of the biggest issues in the aviation industry is noise. Residents who live around or near an airport suffer from extremely loud noises associated with airplanes. Electric airplanes significantly reduce noise if not eliminate it altogether.
This is due to the quiet electric motors that these planes use.
2. Better For the Environment
Airplanes make up about 5% of the annual carbon emissions in the United States. Battery powered electric planes have the ability to be charged on the ground using the electric grid and produce no emissions during a flight.
3. Possibility of Cheaper Airfares
Electric planes cost less to operate since they eliminate the need for fuel. Saving money on fuel means the possibility of cheaper airfares for passengers.
4. Smoother Rides
The propellers on electric airplanes come computer-controlled. Computer-controlled propellers mean a much smoother ride. Passengers would find themselves on a more comfortable ride than that of a fuel-powered plane.
5. The Rise of Electric Planes Is Closer Than You Think
In the past 15 years, there’s been much notice of electric flights. However, as experimenting continues today, we now see more progress towards passenger flights. Innovators strive towards making electric flights longer and making them available to transport more people.
The United States isn’t the only contender, Germany, Israel, and other sections of Europe are also working towards releasing electric planes for commercial use.
6. Reduced Maintenance
Battery-powered planes are easier to maintain than the fuel-powered planes. The reduced maintenance cost is another factor in the possibility of passengers seeing a decrease in airfare cost. As the airlines save money, so will travelers.
7. Flown Like a Drone to Deliver Packages
Electric planes have the ability to fly like a drone. Israeli Start-up Eviation is developing “Alice.” Alice is a nine-seater plane and one of the first electric planes that’ll enter service.
Alice will fly with no passengers or piolets for either cargo flights or for repositioning of the plane for its next flight. This saves major money as well.
8. Updates for Battery Charging
Rapid chargers for electric plane batteries is in the making. These chargers will work similarly to your fast-charging EV car chargers. In just half an hour, these chargers will bring the battery life up to 80%.
This eliminates the problem of having to wait long periods of time for the electric plane batteries to recharge.
The Future Jet Is the Electric Plane
There’s no debate that a future jet is an electric plane. This idea is years in the making and although it might seem like a race of who will put out the first electric passenger airplane, countries are working together to ensure that it’s done right.
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