Norway is a large country, with thousands of islands, and deep fjords carving far into the mainland. It also has around 4,000 lakes, and high, permanently ice-capped mountains. Reaching small settlements by road can be a challenge when winter sets in. There are 97 airports, many small for short haul flights. Norway’s ambitious plan has a new use for these airports.
The Electric Airplanes at the Heart of Norway’s Ambitious Plan
Norway is one of the greenest countries in the world, in more ways than one. Cutting down trees is illegal without sufficient reason. Even its capital, Oslo, boasts several large forests. Additionally, it has the largest stock of electric cars in the world per head of population.
Now Norway’s transport minister, Ketil Solvik-Olsen is asking why there are no electric passenger aircraft. “Actually we have a very small one,” Dag Falk-Petersen head of airline Avinor told him. After a ‘strict diet’ the two squeezed into an electric two-seater aircraft and took to the air for a ride. After they landed, the transport minister announced Norway’s ambitious plan. All short haul flights must be electric by 2040.
But is that Possible…What About the Batteries?
The batteries will follow, you can be sure of that. But first we need to re-strategize passenger flight. Most passenger aircraft are capable of flying for 4,000 miles. But 80% of their trips are under 1,500 miles. Why are we building such large, heavy aircraft?
Norway’s ambitious plan envisages a fleet of 100-seater electric aircraft. They will be able to visit small towns without making a deafening noise when they take off and land. The first phase will see 25-to-30-seater electric planes by 2025.
“We are sure that an aircraft like that can be electrified,” Falk-Petersen told the BBC. When he looked, he discovered over a hundred electric-powered aircraft projects already underway around the world. So his plans are certainly possible.
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Preview Image: Reine in Lofoten, Northern Norway
