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It’s not just cars that are returning to electric drive these days. Earlier this year, a daring group of aviators in Europe managed a test-flight in the world’s first entirely battery-powered conventional light aircraft. Powered by 47 (105 lbs) kilograms of lithium-polymer batteries, the plane is capable of flying about 50km, which takes about 48 minutes. With concern about aviation and climate change at an all time high, the prospect of running a plane on electricity, preferably generated from renewable sources, will be thrilling indeed to many environmental pundits. However, it should be noted that there is a vast difference between a 50km test-flight of a two-seater private plane, and the more commercial applications of passenger aviation. Nevertheless, any effort to reduce the footprint of flying should be welcomed.

Pleasure boaters are also getting in on the act, with companies like CraigCat developing super efficient electric and solar-electric power boats, a significant improvement on fuel-hungry and noisy jet-skis. However, unlike aviation, electric-drive boating has some serious transport potential places. Visitor’s to New York’s Ellis Island, for example, will soon be able to get there on a solar-powered ferry, but even that is small-fry stuff. The same company responsible for this vessel is also planning to build a freight ship powered by solar-panels that double-up as sails. It seems the future of transport may well be truly electrifying.


Keywords: cars boats electricity transport aviation

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