I think the point is that the tiny niche market of very small short-hop planes is the only one where electric planes have a hope of competing. That and the hobbyist market, where factors other than cost and load weight predominate.
Very true, but not the point of this portion of the discussion.
Here is a recap:
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.
The above statement is true and highlights the problem with the low energy density of batteries with respect to aviation.
Then, several commenters tried to say this person was wrong. Note the phrasing with "all" and "always" as well as leading off with "what are you talking about?"
What are you talking about? All the airplanes I have flown are designed to land with a full tank.
Or look up any regional turboprop specifications, maximum landing weight is generally very close to maximum takeoff weight. As in 95% full tank.
That is correct, as an Aerospace Engineer that has certified multiple platforms and systems that are directly applicable to this, we always end up certifying max landing weight very close to max TO weight except with special conditions. It's not as efficient really because the lighter an aircraft gets through it's flight plan the lower AOA needed to maintain lift and therefor the CoD reduced make for more efficient flying, but it can be accounted for just fine.
So I simply stated some facts agreeing with the original commenter:
"The best selling Jet Airliner of all time is the 737. Currently, the most common example is the Next Generation 737-800.
Max Takeoff weight 174,000 pounds.
Max Landing weight 146,000 pounds.
That is a SIGNIFICANT difference"
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Nothing is as black and white as the people claiming the original poster was wrong would have you believe. There are many, many aircraft where the takeoff weight is significantly higher than the landing weight and the design exploits this efficiency at cruise. Those aircraft also happen to be some of the most successful of all time.
Everyone will have to design to a new paradigm with battery electric airplanes but this can't be denied.