This battery will enable an 8-tonne electric plane to travel 1800 miles

Electric aviation could experience a significant breakthrough thanks to a major innovation. The Chinese company CATL recently conducted a successful test flight with a four-tonne electric plane, using ultra-high energy density batteries. This advancement could allow heavier aircraft to travel long distances, opening new prospects for sustainable air transportation.


Flying electric planes over long distances has always been a challenge due to the limited capacity of batteries. Typically, these aircraft can only travel a few hundred kilometers (a few hundred miles) before needing a recharge. However, CATL claims to have overcome this hurdle with a four-tonne electric plane, thanks to a condensed battery with an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, which is twice that of the best current models.

The flight test was conducted in secret, and while few details have been disclosed, CATL is optimistic about the future. The company predicts that within three to four years, an 8-tonne electric plane will be able to travel between 1200 and 1800 miles (2000 and 3000 kilometers). This innovation could transform business aviation, particularly for private jets capable of carrying up to nine passengers.

CATL is already a leader in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles, partnering with brands like Tesla. To achieve this feat, CATL created an aviation division in collaboration with the Chinese state-owned company COMAC. Together, they aim to revolutionize the sector by offering electric planes with unprecedented range.

The impact of this technology could be significant. Currently, the range of the most efficient electric planes is limited to around 620 miles (1000 kilometers). A substantial increase in this range could enable commercial flights over longer distances, thus reducing carbon emissions associated with air travel.

This advancement also gives China a competitive edge in the field of electric aviation. By mastering this high-density battery technology, CATL could strengthen its position as a leader and outpace major players like Airbus and Boeing, although it still needs to prove its capability to scale up to "airliner" capacity.

CATL unveiled this battery at the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum. The "condensed" battery is designed not only for aviation but also for electric vehicles, offering extended range for cars and trucks.

If CATL's promises are realized, electric aviation could rapidly expand, making air travel greener and more efficient. This would mark a major shift in how we fly.