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by kingkawn 1564 days ago
Why not use that electricity to power electric motors instead tho
2 comments
fsh 1564 days ago
This requires batteries which are very heavy. This is not a big problem in cars, but an absolute deal breaker in aircraft. The energy consumption of a plane scales roughly with the weight, which makes efficient battery powered flight pretty much impossible.
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pengaru 1564 days ago
The mass problem in larger aircraft is mostly just an issue with landing AIUI.

One could imagine battery boosters jettisoned after supporting the climb to cruising altitude which autonomously return as drones to the airport.

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dahfizz 1564 days ago
Current battery tech just isn't that good. A Tesla battery pack weighs 900 pounds and only holds the energy of 3 gallons of gas. They are also a hell of a lot more expensive and wear faster than a gas tank.

Carbon hydrogen bonds are one of the best ways to store energy that we have.

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anamax 1564 days ago
> A Tesla battery pack weighs 900 pounds and only holds the energy of 3 gallons of gas.

A Tesla battery pack is good for about 300 miles. If that's equivalent to 3 gallons of gas, that's saying that Teslas would get 100mpg.

I can believe 40-45 mpg, but 100 requires some evidence.

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dahfizz 1564 days ago
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=43401

They are rated for 134 combined MPGe. That is not that crazy for an EV, the ford Mach E gets 93:

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=43602

Electric drivetrains are really efficient, which is why EV's are practical at all.

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