Aviation, simply because the regulations are so intense. The technology is there for both already, but it will be far easier to cram a freighter with batteries than a plane because of the engineering and safety requirements. Ships need a minimum of fault tolerance compared to planes, for example.
The battery density needed to make electric flight possible is ~400wh/KG, which we are well past. There’s no technological limitations blocking transatlantic flight.
Also, the question wasn’t if we were close, it was if it’s easier in ships or planes.
Aviation, simply because the regulations are so intense. The technology is there for both already, but it will be far easier to cram a freighter with batteries than a plane because of the engineering and safety requirements. Ships need a minimum of fault tolerance compared to planes, for example.
I disagree with the “the technology is already there” statement. Source: I was part of an aviation electrification research project.
Small regional planes are technologically possible, yes, but transatlantic or transpacific flights? We’re nowhere close to that.
The battery density needed to make electric flight possible is ~400wh/KG, which we are well past. There’s no technological limitations blocking transatlantic flight.
Also, the question wasn’t if we were close, it was if it’s easier in ships or planes.