EADS VoltAir electric airliner concept - Paris 2011

EADS Innovation Works is working on an electric propulsion concept for a zero-emissions airliner concept. The VoltAir concept is powered by advanced batteries powering superconducting electroc motors driving counter-rotating shoruded propellers. EADS says the concept could become a reality in 20 years.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• aerospace
• aviation
• aircraft
• EADS
• CO2
• Airbus
• emissions
• electric

[1991araaron]

HELL YEAH

*wipes tears*

[LoversRock64]

@jamesdstudent Contra-rotating propellers have been found to be between 6% and 16% more efficient than normal propellers. also transducers arent always that efficient, and may add unnecessary weight to the aircraft, especially if the batteries can be easily changed once the aicraft reaches its destination

[jamesdstudent]

That was comical!

The only benefit of a counter rotating prop is that eliminates torque on the airframe. And with planes that have 2 or more engines, this problem is gone. Why aren't they re-charging the batteries with transducers that could form the final layer of the structure?

I love to dream, don't get me wrong. But that was embarrassing; for whoever thought of it...

[sumamura]

take baby steps .... first let us have battery operated cars .... i mean city cars .... at affordable price which people are willing to buy ........

pollution from cars is probably 1000 times more than what jets r producing .......

[robhoneycutt]

@TEHTYMEKITTEH1 The other big advantage in electric aircraft is they are much LESS complex than current aircraft. Less maintenance. Fewer things that can break.

[robhoneycutt]

@TEHTYMEKITTEH1 Actually, electric motors produce plenty of thrust. They also generate that trust more efficiently than internal combustion. The challenge is the energy density of batteries. We use jet fuel today because it packs a great deal of potential energy for the weight.  But batteries are improving very quickly.

[johnson1095]

I LOVE IT

I hope it works :)

[johnson1095]

@TEHTYMEKITTEH1

they get swapped out for a newly charged battery, or at least thats what i've heard.

Like "Better Place"

[Xouldriva]

Music please!! =)

[bored1980]

@TEHTYMEKITTEH1 Nope, electric motors can generate plenty of thrust. Google electric jet turbines for example. The problem with this is that the battery technology isn't there yet. It's almost there, and it will be there soon, but just not at this moment.