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Electric plane illustration.

5 Nov 2019

Electric planes are here – but they won’t solve flying’s CO2 problem

Future Transport asset

The UK government plans to ban the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2040. Clearly the plan is for all citizens to be driving electric or hybrid-electric cars, or – better still – riding bicycles.

But can electrification help cut emissions from that other carbon-intensive form of passenger transport, flying?

This is a complex question and one where size matters.

It is possible for small aircraft to be powered by electricity. In fact, several companies are already developing small electric aircraft and they could come on the market within the next few years.

But for the large aircraft we all use more frequently, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon...

Dr Duncan Walker, of the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering, discusses electric planes and why they won’t solve flying’s CO2 problem in the Conversation. Read the full article here