The electric flying car is really two innovations in one, and could remain in the realm of fiction alongside the existing batteries. However, using newly developed fast-charging lithium-ion cells, such a four-wheeler could travel up to 80 kilometres.
The development of urban air mobility is unstoppable, with dozens or more of eVTOL aircraft being developed, large networked urban air mobility providers being prepared, and a series of test operations already underway in the most advanced cities. The Munich-based consultancy Roland Berger’s 2020 report counts 95 ongoing eVTOL projects around the world.
The comfort of helicopters, combined with the efficiency of aircraft and the low noise and environmental impact of electric propulsion, will undoubtedly be the air transport of the future. And of course there is the century-old science fiction topos, the flying car.
For example, Csao-Jang Wang, an automotive, mechanical, chemical and materials engineer. He is well aware of the many demands that the industry places on batteries for electric aircraft. Their weight, power and energy density are critical characteristics. They need to be fast and frequently rechargeable to generate adequate revenue, which will set back the astronomical cost of their development.
“On average, we can estimate that each of the air taxi services that rely on them would need to fly at least 15 trips a day in the morning and another 15 in the evening, with three to four people on board, covering a distance of roughly 80 kilometres,” said the lead author of the new research, Csao-Jang Wang, director of the Electrochemical Engine Center (ECEC) at Pennsylvania State University.
Wang and his colleagues have created a prototype battery that can enable eVTOL journeys of up to 80 kilometres with an energy density of 271 watt-hours per kilogram. The new lithium-ion batteries allow for more than 2,000 rapid recharge cycles over their lifetime and can be recharged in just 5 to 10 minutes.
“The first generation of commercially viable flying car batteries is now available,” Wang said.
Scientists have placed 10 micron-thick nickel foils in the battery to help it reach 60 degrees Celsius quickly. Heating the batteries can help fast charge them without the risk of destructive lithium spikes.
“Our self-heating technology has a heating rate of 1 to 5 degrees Celsius per second and consumes 0.8 per cent of battery energy for every 10 degrees Celsius rise in temperature. At the same time, the embedded nickel foil adds less than 1.5 percent extra weight and volume, and costs less than 0.3 percent compared to the basic batteries,” Wang added.
Development has not stopped there, of course, with even higher energy density battery solutions on the horizon. The next generation could offer energy densities of 350-400 watt-hours per kilogram, and costs could be reduced to $50 per kilowatt-hour, while keeping charging times at 5-10 minutes.
“This will be the second generation, which will enable not only eVTOLs for the commercial fleet, such as flying taxis, but also privately owned flying cars. My dream is to drive a flying car to work before I retire,” Wang outlined. The researchers published their findings in the scientific journal Joule.
Recent article
Air taxi News & Articles
Crash landing with an air taxi
Drones News & Articles
The drone navigates like a bat
Drones News & Articles
Weightlessness with a drone
Air taxi News & Articles
Cities of the future, where air taxis and drones populate the skies
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Finnish engineers have created a small robot that can fly
Electric airplane News & Articles
The world’s largest unmanned electric cargo plane
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Japanese startup that makes flying “motorcycles” goes public
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Rolls-Royce’s microreactor is a new dimension in propulsion
Flying Cars News & Articles
The X2 flying car can fly under certain conditions
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Jetoptera is developing an FPS-powered aircraft
Air taxi News & Articles
Development of Airbus’ air taxi could accelerate
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
NASA’s new engine in action
Drones News & Articles
India also sees potential in agricultural drones
Drones News & Articles
Airbus launches drone production
Flying Cars News & Articles
SkyDrive Japanese flying car to enter commercial service in 2026
Additional aircraft
ARC Aerosystems’ newest aircraft the Linx P9
Drones News & Articles
Expect lots of drones in the future
Propulsion-Fuel
NASA funds development of a new type of nuclear engine
Drones News & Articles
The world’s fastest flying four-rotor drone
Drones News & Articles
The drone market is a good long-term investment
Drones News & Articles
In Romania, a drone is already taking samples from hospitals to the robotic laboratory
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
ZeroAvia’s Dornier with hydrogen-electric propulsion system flies for the first time
EVTOL & VTOL
What growth can we expect in the Evtol market in the coming years ?
Drones News & Articles
Flying drone home delivery is also being tested in Budapest
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are air traffic control and air navigation services adapting to eVTOL ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
What safety measures would be introduced in flying cars to prevent accidents ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Revolutionising crop production with aircraft
Drones News & Articles
Valkyrie drone placed in the US Air Force National Museum
Drones News & Articles
Black Swan unmanned aircraft can handle transport in Europe
Drones News & Articles
Drone-operated motorway planned in the UK
Air taxi News & Articles
What impact will the development and introduction of air taxis have on the workforce and the labour market ?
Drones News & Articles
Edible wing drone could save people in distress
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Could modernised versions of airships return ?
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Aviation on the verge of a revolution
Drones News & Articles
Chinese drone could stay in the air almost forever
Additional aircraft News & Articles
The world’s first flying motorcycle is about to fly
Drones News & Articles
Walmart’s drones now deliver in seven Member States
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are companies and governments working to develop and regulate electric Evtols and what challenges do they face in bringing these vehicles to market ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What developments have been made in the field of electric motors ?
Air taxi News & Articles
Stellantis joins forces with air taxi developer Archer
More articles you may be interested in...
Additional aircraft
ARC Aerosystems’ newest aircraft the Linx P9
Drones News & Articles
Expect lots of drones in the future
Propulsion-Fuel
NASA funds development of a new type of nuclear engine
Drones News & Articles
The world’s fastest flying four-rotor drone
Air taxi News & Articles
What impact will the development and introduction of air taxis have on the workforce and the labour market ?
The introduction of air taxis, also known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles,.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
Edible wing drone could save people in distress
The developers thought about those who are stuck in hard-to-reach places and help takes time........... READ MORE
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Could modernised versions of airships return ?
Aviation in its current form is not sustainable. The emissions associated with it are staggeringly.......... READ MORE
Additional aircraft News & Articles
Aviation on the verge of a revolution
Humanity has always had a desire to fly, starting with hot air balloons in the.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
Chinese drone could stay in the air almost forever
Researchers at Northwestern University of Technology in China claim to have developed a method to.......... READ MORE
Additional aircraft News & Articles
The world’s first flying motorcycle is about to fly
The Jetpack Aviation Speeder, one of the tiniest jets ever built, could soon receive its.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
Walmart’s drones now deliver in seven Member States
Walmart's drone delivery program is expanding nicely. According to the company, shoppers in seven US.......... READ MORE
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How are companies and governments working to develop and regulate electric Evtols and what challenges do they face in bringing these vehicles to market ?
Electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, or Evtols, have garnered significant attention in recent years.......... READ MORE