With electric aviation still in its infancy, eVTOL developers have largely been relying on the same lithium-ion battery cells found in electric ground vehicles (EVs) to power their aircraft. Although the performance of lithium-ion batteries in EVs is well understood, their application in the aviation industry is relatively uncharted, and it’s not yet clear how these batteries will withstand the harsh conditions they will endure during eVTOL air taxi operations.
To gain a better understanding, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee conducted a study into the effects that an eVTOL aircraft’s flight profile will have on EV batteries after repeated cycling, simulating typical air taxi operations. The research team found that the power and performance demands for eVTOL flight reduce battery performance and longevity, which could potentially pose a safety threat. It could also increase the cost of aircraft maintenance, as batteries will need frequent replacing.
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