> But it'll probably take 10-20 years regardless of when we get good batteries because it'll take a long time to design and certify the aircrafts.
I'm wondering if large aircraft companies are actually already designing the next aircraft based on assumed battery densities? I know they put out press releases with nice looking renderings, but I am talking about serious development?
If you wait until you have the batteries on hand, and then spend 20 years to design a plane (and 20 years might be conservative, since arppovals will be harder to get for a brand new concept), you might be left behind. Instead, they could be already designing the plane and when 500Wh/Kg is available, boom, they are 15 years ahead.
I'm wondering if large aircraft companies are actually already designing the next aircraft based on assumed battery densities? I know they put out press releases with nice looking renderings, but I am talking about serious development?
If you wait until you have the batteries on hand, and then spend 20 years to design a plane (and 20 years might be conservative, since arppovals will be harder to get for a brand new concept), you might be left behind. Instead, they could be already designing the plane and when 500Wh/Kg is available, boom, they are 15 years ahead.