Battery Key Performance Projections based on Historical Trends and Chemistries

Abstract

Recent improvements in state-of-the-art (SOA) batteries driven by the automotive sector have led to many electrified aircraft concepts choosing batteries as the preferred energy-storage method. Current SOA batteries are at the point of enabling certain hybrid and all-electric aircraft, particularly small, short range, lower speed aircraft Higher performance batteries improve aircraft range and can enable larger, higher speed aircraft. In this work, we develop specific energy projections for future electrified aircraft. The projections are developed based on examining historical commercial SOA trends as well as practical limitations of future chemistries. Accurate projections of future specific energy values are important for estimating the timeline for commercial introduction of electrified aircraft. This work estimates nominal cell level specific energies for rechargeable batteries of 489 Wh/kg by 2030, 638 Wh/kg by 2040, and 764 Wh/kg by 2050. More conservative as well as more aggressive estimates are also provided.