Being a chemical engineer, I fully understand the energy density issues currently facing battery technology. I seriously doubt that the Periodic Table contains any element that will allow a reversible chemical reaction to make our current batteries perform as needed for long-distance flight. But, I would not rule out some different system (solid state batteries, super capacitors, etc.) that is on the horizon, which will solve that issue. Comparing the current state of electric fight to ICE powered aircraft is a waste of time because the modern gasoline and diesel engines have over a century of time and billions of dollars of R&D to get them to where they are now. Serious battery development is less than 1/4 of that. Make no mistake, electric aircraft will come, we just don’t really know when they will hit critical mass. Look at electric cars. At the dawn of the new millennium, they were an expensive curiosity - a rich man’s play toy. Today there are millions of them on the roads with charging stations springing up everywhere. As for practicality, I have a friend who routinely drives his Tesla between Toronto, Ontario, and southern Louisiana with no real limitations on where to stop for charging or comfort breaks. I too, have recently purchased an inexpensive electric vehicle for all those little run-around-town trips. It replaced an aging gas-powered vehicle, and I am very happy with the change. Yes, it fills a niche application, but so will electric aircraft at first. If someone had told me 20 years ago that I would be driving an electric car, I probably would have laughed at them. Never say never…
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