Booking an electric flight in Europe is only 10 years away, says influential Dutch researcher
Booking an electric flight in Europe could become possible within a decade
Poinews.com – Booking an electric flight in Europe may become a realistic option within the next 10 years, according to Dutch researchers and aviation innovators working on battery-powered passenger aircraft. Their aim is to make lower-emission travel possible on regional routes currently served by conventional planes.
In the Netherlands, start-up Elysian Aircraft is developing an electric passenger plane designed to carry 90 travellers. The company initially plans for a range of 800 kilometres, with an eventual target of 1,000 kilometres.
Such distances could cover many shorter European journeys, although battery technology remains far less suitable for long-haul and intercontinental flights. The project is therefore focused on replacing fossil-fuelled aircraft on routes where fully electric propulsion may be practical.
A larger aircraft designed for existing airports
Elysian’s proposed design includes six engines and unusually large wings, which are needed to support an electric aircraft. To ensure the plane can use current airport gates, its wingtips would fold when the aircraft is on the ground.
“There will be six engines. And we have folding wingtips, so that we fit into the current gates’ infrastructure of the airports, because the wings are very large,” says Elysian Aircraft co-founder Daniel Jacobson.
The company believes a plane carrying 90 passengers over distances of up to 1,000 kilometres could make a meaningful contribution to reducing aviation emissions. Booking an electric flight in Europe would not solve every part of the industry’s climate challenge, but it could change travel on a significant number of regional services.
“By being able to transport 90 passengers for initially 800 kilometres and eventually 1,000 kilometres you can reduce emissions to zero, from half the world’s flights,” Jacobson says. “That is a very large amount of flight activity in the world. And you reduce total emissions from aerospace by 20 per cent.”
Why electric aviation matters for Europe’s climate goals
Aviation is under mounting pressure to lower its impact on the climate. When carbon dioxide and other aviation-related emissions are considered, air travel contributes around 6 per cent to global heating. The proportion is higher in wealthier countries, where flying is more frequent.
The aviation sector has made international climate commitments, yet emissions from international flights have continued to rise since 2020. The International Civil Aviation Organization adopted a carbon-neutral growth goal from that year, but the approach relies on offsetting carbon dioxide rather than ensuring direct cuts from aircraft operations.
Climate Action Tracker has described the ICAO objective as “Highly insufficient”. Supporters of electric aircraft argue that efficiency gains in existing planes will not be enough and that aviation needs a transition away from combustion-based propulsion.
Calls for faster policy action
Maarten Steinbuch, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology, says European institutions should place greater emphasis on zero-emission aviation. In his view, current policy is more focused on improving conventional aircraft than on accelerating a wider shift to electric flight.
“There is not enough attention yet to have a revolution in airspace electrification. So, it’s more an evolution and not yet a revolution.”
Steinbuch points to the expansion of electric cars as evidence that policy and firm deadlines can reshape an industry. Electric-vehicle sales rose each year between 2020 and 2025. By 2025, electric vehicles accounted for one in four cars sold worldwide, while electrified vehicles represented about 5 per cent of the global car fleet and displaced 1.2 million barrels of oil per day.
He argues that regulation helped encourage car manufacturers to expand their electric models, and that aviation may need a similarly clear direction. Whether travellers will be booking an electric flight in Europe within a decade will depend on technological progress, certification, infrastructure and sustained political support.
FAQ: electric flights in Europe
When could passengers fly on electric aircraft in Europe?
Researchers and developers involved in the sector believe commercial electric passenger flights in Europe could be available within around 10 years. Timelines will depend on aircraft development, safety certification and airport readiness.
How far could an electric passenger plane fly?
Elysian Aircraft is targeting an initial range of 800 kilometres for its 90-seat aircraft, increasing to 1,000 kilometres over time. This would suit many regional European routes rather than long-distance flights.
Would electric aircraft use existing airports?
The proposed Elysian design is intended to work with existing airport gate infrastructure. Its folding wingtips are planned to accommodate the aircraft’s large wings while on the ground.
Would electric flights eliminate emissions?
A fully electric aircraft would aim to remove fossil-fuel emissions during flight. However, the wider environmental impact also depends on how the electricity used to charge aircraft batteries is produced.