Ce-Liner - Case Study for eMobility in Air Transportation

Abstract

Significant improvements in efficiency and emissions reduction are primary elements in relation to strategic plans for aviation espoused in the European Flightpath 2050 and NASA N+3 study. Alternative energies may form a key enabler for future air transport solutions by minimizing the ecological footprint in order to meet those challenging goals. Enabling zero emissions while in-flight, electro-mobility, or, “eMobility” solutions could provide a tangible approach to this goal. Bauhaus Luftfahrt has conducted an inter-disciplinary design study to perform an integrated assessment of a universally-electric aircraft solution to not only identify the possible potentials but also to highlight challenges with respect to key technologies and operational aspects of such a radical approach. This paper provides an insight to the technical requirements, design considerations and subsequent findings for a universally-electric aircraft enabling short range operations of up to 900 nm (1666 km) with payload capacity of around 190 passengers. The assumed entry-into-service year for this study was set as 2035.