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Why Electric Aircraft Are Still a Decade Away

Jul 2, 2025 |Thierry Huguenin

Business aviation is no stranger to hype. Every few years, a new technology promises to reshape how we fly - quieter cabins, lower emissions, smarter cockpits, safety improvements. But few ideas have captured imaginations quite like electric aircraft.

From flashy concepts at airshows to bold “urban air mobility” startups, the promise is loud: clean, quiet, battery-powered planes that’ll revolutionize private aviation.

The reality? They’re still a decade away, and here’s why.

Batteries Can't Keep Up

Jet-A fuel has an energy density of about 12,000 Wh/kg. The best lithium-ion batteries? Roughly 250 Wh/kg.

That’s a 95% gap in power per kilogram.

Electric aircraft might work for short hops, but business aviation is built on range, payload, and time savings. A battery-powered aircraft with a 100-mile range and a 3-hour recharge won’t cut it - especially if you’re carrying four passengers and luggage to a remote airfield.

Infrastructure? Not Even Close

Where do you charge your aircraft?

Electric aviation depends on high-voltage ground infrastructure, and FBOs aren’t equipped yet. Business aviation thrives on flexibility which means airports from Teterboro to small Caribbean strips must be outfitted, regulated, and staffed to handle recharging safely and efficiently.

We’re not there - not by a long shot.

Certification Is Years Away

Certification is the biggest mountain of all.

Even the most mature electric aircraft programs have pushed their certification targets back to 2027–2030, and that’s optimistic.

Every new design introduces unknowns. Battery fire suppression, thermal management, power redundancy, and safe energy degradation over cycles must be proven. These aren’t just engineering challenges, they’re regulatory nightmares.

The Greener Future Is Already Here—With SAF

If you’re serious about sustainability, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is your best bet today.

It:

  • Cuts lifecycle carbon by up to 80%
  • Works with existing aircraft and engines
  • Is already being distributed at select FBOs

It’s not perfect, costs are high and availability is limited, but SAF lets you fly clean without compromise, today.

TSH aviation’s Perspective

We want electric aircraft to succeed—one day!

But when clients ask us if now is the time to plan around electric jets, our answer is simple:

Don’t build your fleet strategy on wishful thinking. Stick with proven platforms. Watch the tech closely. And prepare for change, when it’s real.