Summary by ATFCars.com

Referenced article published on avweb.com on May 7, 2023 written by Paul Bertorelli. Link to original article:

Electric Airplanes: The Elusive Promise

The journey towards electric aviation continues, with dreamers and tinkerers leading the charge. The article tells the story of KITPLANES colleague Paul Dye who installed an electric motor from a Zero motorcycle into a Xenos motorglider kit, offering up to 45 minutes of flight. Yet, the limitations of electric planes, especially their endurance and lack of charging facilities, keep them grounded in the realm of curiosity and experimentation. Despite these challenges, there are those who persist, eager to usher in the era of electric aviation. Innovations are happening, with Pipistrel leading the pack in electric Light Sport Aircrafts (LSA). The emergence of safe, reliable battery systems and manageable powertrains suggests progress. Although widespread use of electric aircrafts might still be beyond the horizon, there’s optimism that every dead-end might lead to a breakthrough, pushing us closer to a sustainable, electric future.