If getting flying cars to work has been a challenge, electric flying cars are an even tougher nut to crack, due to the weight of the batteries require

Electric Flying Cars May Be Possible With New Batteries

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2021-06-15 16:00:05

If getting flying cars to work has been a challenge, electric flying cars are an even tougher nut to crack, due to the weight of the batteries required and how quickly they must be able to pump out energy. But a new twist on lithium-ion batteries may help them become reality.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have attracted increasing attention for urban air mobility services that could open sky corridors in cities for travel. By combining the convenience of helicopters when it comes to local takeoff and landing with the efficient aerodynamic flight of airplanes and the low noise and environmental impact of electric vehicles, electric flying cars might help cities reduce traffic congestion. Indeed, a 2020 report from management consultant firm Roland Berger in Munich, Germany, identified 95 ongoing eVTOL projects worldwide.

However, developing batteries for electric flying cars has been a challenge. Researchers have to worry about their weight, since they have to fly. They must deliver very high power while the vehicle moves vertically during takeoff and landing. They also need high energy densities to stay aloft a useful amount of time in the air.