Forecasting the Operational Lifetime of Battery-Powered Electric Aircraft

In recent years, advancements in high-energy and -power density batteries have become central to developing viable aircraft for urban air mobility. In this paper, we introduce the time-dependent aircraft performance over operational lifetime diagram, which is a means of integrating battery lifetime modeling into the assessment of all-electric aircraft meant to service commuter routes: both within polycentric metropolitan regions and between residential and commercial spaces. Four aircraft representing the major configuration classes of urban air mobility concepts were simulated under continuous operation spanning one year. The aircraft flew eight daily flights, with recharging of the battery pack occurring at the end of each flight. The behaviors exhibited by the aircraft powertrains offer more holistic perspectives on the limitations of battery-powered aircraft than other traditional, nontemporal methods. This study highlights that, depending on the vehicle configuration, range, and battery pack size, the battery life of achievable missions can fall by as much as 45%. Additionally, the findings reveal that the rate of change in an operational lifetime can range between 8 and 23 days per nautical mile flown. These findings equip air transportation network modelers with information critical to improving strategies for optimizing vehicle utility and maximizing revenue.