MontyFloyd
Member
Not a main problem (which is mass), but defiantly a major factor.The main problem with batteries is, landing weight is the same as take-off weight.
Which means EV planes should weigh close to the weight of an ICE plane with empty tanks. I am not even sure today we are anywhere close to that in terms of gravimetric density for even the highest energy density LiOn battery with Co & Ni.
For those that do not know, taking off is much easier on landing gear, so it is routine for aircraft to take off with more load than they land. When they ready to land, they mass lost in consumed fuel allows landing within max weight.
Yes, if there is need to emergency land right after take off, the fuel must be dumped (or fly around for few hours) to lessen total mass.