Battery Sensitivity Analysis on Initial Sizing of eVTOL Aircraft

Sensitivity of aircraft sizing depending on battery performance was studied for a generic quad tilt rotor type electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle. The mission requirements proposed by Uber Elevate and NASA were used for initial sizing, and the calculated gross weight is ranged between 5,000lb and 11,000lb for battery specific energy range of 200-400Wh/kg in pack level and continuous discharge rate range of 4-5C. For the assumed gross weight of 7,000lb, the required battery performance was calculated with two different criteria: available power and energy, and the effects of battery specific energy and discharge rate are analyzed. The maximum discharge rate is also recommended considering failure cases such as one battery pack inoperative and one prop rotor inoperative.