Quiet, climate-friendly electric planes could soon take off

FOR years, scientists have clamoured for quiet, climate-friendly airplanes that rely on batteries instead of jet fuel. Now, they’re closer to putting them into the skies.

A handful of airlines, including United, Mesa and Air Canada, have started putting in orders for a batteryoperated aircraft called the Heart Aerospace ES-30. The Swedish-made four-propeller, battery-powered plane seats up to 30 people and could fly short-haul routes such as Palm Springs to Los Angeles or Denver to Aspen without emitting any carbon. It’s slated to be in the air by 2028.

Tiny single-passenger electric planes are also getting the green light to fly, with some used by militaries in Europe. Electric seaplanes are being tested and used in Canada. And analysts at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory are now projecting that hybrid electric 50- to 70-seater planes could be in service in a decade.

Electric planes could solve major headaches for airlines, manufacturers and industry experts say. They could help companies achieve promises to cut emissions and make shorter plane routes financially feasible by minimising fuel and maintenance costs.

But major challenges remain, starting with battery technology, which needs to advance rapidly to make commercial travel viable. On top of that, the planes will need regulatory approvals, and airlines will need to convince passengers that flying thousands of feet in the air on battery power is safe, too.

Globally, commercial aviation accounts for 2.4% of the world’s climate emissions, but that could increase to 22% by 2050 if no changes are made, European data shows.

Anders Forslund, founder and chief executive of Heart Aerospace, started his company in 2018 and designed the ES-19, a 19-seat electric plane. Last week, the company announced a plane that could seat 30 people, the ES-30.

The aircraft, company officials say, can fly up to 200km fully on batteries and emit zero emissions. It is powered by more than 5 tons of lithium ion batteries stored in its underbelly, near the landing gear, Forslund said. The plane would charge in 30 minutes.