Why electric planes are almost impossible
Despite billions in investment, electric aviation remains elusive due to significant battery energy density limitations and high development costs. The article examines why companies like Beta Technologies are attempting to succeed where others have failed.
Why it matters
The transition to electric flight is critical for decarbonizing the aviation industry, but current technology faces severe physical and economic barriers.
Electric cars took decades to go mainstream — electric planes might take even longer. We flew in Beta Technologies' Alia CX300, one of the most promising electric aircraft in the world, to find out why battery-powered flight has stayed almost impossible for more than 50 years.
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