On: U.S. To Ban Laptops in All Cabins of Flights from Europe

[robin_reala]

The problem with electric aircraft is a bit like a mini Tsiolkovsky rocket equation. In a conventional aircraft fuel is burnt off as it flies causing it to lighten and become more fuel efficient as it travels. With battery aircraft this doesn’t happen so you need more batteries upfront to travel the distance.

[lordelph → robin_reala]

Captain: "Scotty, we need more lift!"

Scotty: "We're giving it all she's got. If I eject the empty batteries we might just lose enough mass, but I cannae guarantee it"

Captain: "Do it, do it, do it!"

Scotty: "Aye, captain!"

[sangnoir → robin_reala]

Additionally, the energy density of batteries is nowhere near that of Jet A/A-1.

[mathw → robin_reala]

Batteries do get lighter as they discharge!

Just not by enough to matter.

[robin_reala → mathw]

OK, if we’re being pedantic ;) This SE answer puts the difference between a fully charged and fully discharged Chevy Volt at half a microgram: https://physics.stackexchange.com/a/34424/134467