The aircraft they are using for this test looks like it has glider-like wings, which means it requires a lot less thrust to keep aloft, making a low torque and low power electric motor more able to work with it, at the compromise of lower speeds. A more traditional 2-4 seater aircraft capable of 100+ knots would require significantly more power.
The payload capacity of a general aviation aircraft fueled with power-rich gasoline is typically around 500 lbs. Unfortunately, the potential 30% savings in fuel weight (~65 lbs of fuel in a Piper Cherokee) would not be offset by the batteries (using the Prius' 100 lbs of batteries as a reference).
More weight = more power necessary to stay aloft = more power consumption from both the motor and engine.
I hope they can get the technology to work, but there's many more hurdles for a plane than there is for a car; however there have been electrically assisted gliders for some time, so the potential is certainly there.
The aircraft they are using for this test looks like it has glider-like wings, which means it requires a lot less thrust to keep aloft, making a low torque and low power electric motor more able to work with it, at the compromise of lower speeds. A more traditional 2-4 seater aircraft capable of 100+ knots would require significantly more power.
The payload capacity of a general aviation aircraft fueled with power-rich gasoline is typically around 500 lbs. Unfortunately, the potential 30% savings in fuel weight (~65 lbs of fuel in a Piper Cherokee) would not be offset by the batteries (using the Prius' 100 lbs of batteries as a reference).
More weight = more power necessary to stay aloft = more power consumption from both the motor and engine.
I hope they can get the technology to work, but there's many more hurdles for a plane than there is for a car; however there have been electrically assisted gliders for some time, so the potential is certainly there.