[SonicScrub]

The Youtuber Real-Engineering (aerospace engineering background) has a good video discussing the viability of electric aircraft. Barring some dramatic revolution in battery energy density, electric aircraft beyond a certain range are simply not-feasible. They are very feasible for short-range routes though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNvzZfsC13o

[topkai22]

I think the caveat here is "battery powered electric aircraft." Fuel cells have much higher energy density IIRC.

It's not inconceivable that fuel cell electric planes could become a thing as well, especially if these early BEV show other benefits around maintainability, noise reduction, etc. I think its a long shot though, as jet fuel + carbon capture will probably be price competitive before fuel cell airliners become a thing.

[benhurmarcel]

Fuel cell aircraft are very much a thing, and are being researched by the biggest companies in the industry.

But they’d be called hydrogen aircraft rather than electric by most people.