The technology development for electric flights is moving forward and according to one of the companies in the industry, the first small flight partially powered by electricity could go between Stockholm and Visby in 2028.
But whether electric flight really is the answer to the climate challenge, opinions are divided.
Fantastic experience
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) is optimistic and on Wednesday got to try an electric flight outside Visby. An experience he describes as fantastic.
– So far we are only talking about flights of an hour or so, but I think it will develop quickly. We want to be completely emission-free and carbon dioxide-free in Sweden, and then electric flights are the answer, he says shortly after landing.
The environmentalist Member of Parliament Daniel Helldén believes that electric aviation today has no major significance. He believes that it will take decades before it can be put into commercial use.
– But the development that exists now talks about small flights that don’t really replace existing airlines. In Sweden, I would think it would take 20–30 years at least, he says.
Doubtful of the climate benefit
Jonas Jansson is head of department at the Norwegian Road and Transport Research Institute, which has investigated the socio-economic consequences of battery-powered flight. He believes that the politicians’ different answers to when the electric flight can start reflect the uncertain situation.
– We know what is technically possible, but then it must also work commercially. There are huge uncertainties there. This means that you can have a fairly large range in what is reasonable and what is not reasonable, he says.
However, he is doubtful whether electric aviation will have a decisive importance for the climate in the future.
– Electric flight will perhaps not contribute with the big climate benefit, then we are talking about another type of sustainable flight. Maybe in the very long term you fly with hydrogen or other sustainable aviation fuels, he says.