The prospect of electric-powered aviation has drawn increasing interest in recent years, not only from the aerospace industry but also from climate-conscious travelers and innovators seeking greener solutions. As we look towards 2025, a realistic overview of what we can expect in this emerging field helps ground our hopes while providing insight into the technical advances and challenges still to be addressed.
The battery for Sora Aviation’s electric aircraft is already undergoing extensive development, showcasing the company’s commitment to ensuring that the vehicle will be not only efficient but also reliable when it enters commercial service. This advanced battery system, critical to the aircraft’s performance, is being designed to meet the unique demands of electric aviation, where both weight and energy density play pivotal roles in determining range and efficiency.
ZeroAvia, a trailblazer in the aerospace industry, is currently working on a groundbreaking hydrogen-electric propulsion system, poised to revolutionize air travel by powering the world’s largest zero-emission passenger aircraft. In a remarkable test flight conducted in January, ZeroAvia showcased the potential of hydrogen as a viable energy source for passenger transport. During this trial, a retrofitted Dornier 228 aircraft took to the skies above the company’s Gloucestershire headquarters for a ten-minute demonstration.