Is the future of air cargo electric?

A brief DHL video on LinkedIn showing the world’s first fully electric cargo aircraft, Alice, in all her glory, and pointing out that she is charged using the same equipment as that for the Formula E Gen 3 race car, sparked this third question for ChatGPT: “Is the future of air cargo electric? (See also “What would a world without air cargo look like?” and “What is the biggest threat to air cargo?”)

Here is what ChatGPT responded:

The future of air cargo includes the possibility of electric aircraft playing a role in the industry, but several challenges need to be overcome before widespread adoption can occur. Here are some key points to consider:

Electric aircraft development: Electric aviation technology is still in its early stages, particularly for large cargo aircraft. While electric-powered smaller aircraft, such as drones and regional planes, have made progress, scaling up to larger cargo planes poses significant technical challenges. Developing electric aircraft with the necessary payload capacity, range, and operational capabilities for air cargo is a complex task that requires advancements in battery technology, energy storage, and propulsion systems.

Battery technology limitations
Battery technology limitations: The primary obstacle for electric aircraft is the energy density and weight of batteries. Currently, battery technology has not reached a point where it can provide the energy required for long-haul flights carrying substantial cargo loads. Batteries are significantly heavier than aviation fuels, which reduces the payload capacity and range of electric aircraft. Advances in battery technology are crucial for enabling electric aircraft to compete with traditional combustion engines in terms of range, payload capacity, and operational efficiency.

Infrastructure requirements: Electric aircraft would require a robust infrastructure to support their operations. This includes charging infrastructure at airports, battery swap or fast-charging capabilities, and the availability of renewable energy sources to power these charging stations. Establishing such infrastructure would involve significant investment and coordination between industry stakeholders, governments, and energy providers.

Regulations and transitions
Regulatory and certification challenges: Introducing electric aircraft into the air cargo industry would necessitate comprehensive regulatory frameworks and certification processes. Safety standards, air traffic management systems, and operational protocols would need to be developed and adapted to accommodate electric aircraft. Certifying the safety and reliability of these new technologies is a rigorous process that involves collaboration between aviation authorities, manufacturers, and industry experts.
Transitioning existing fleet: The air cargo industry currently relies heavily on conventional combustion engine aircraft. Transitioning the existing fleet to electric alternatives would require a significant investment by cargo carriers and manufacturers. The economic feasibility and return on investment of transitioning to electric aircraft would be important factors for cargo operators to consider.

Exploring possibilities
While there are challenges, the development of electric aircraft for air cargo is an area of active research and exploration. As battery technology continues to advance, we may see the emergence of electric cargo aircraft designed for shorter-haul routes or specific niche applications. However, the complete replacement of conventional cargo aircraft with electric alternatives on a global scale is a complex and long-term prospect that depends on overcoming technical, regulatory, and infrastructure hurdles.

Who the freight is Alice?
Since ChatGPT did not actively mention Alice, I posted the question as to the extent of its knowledge. It reminded me of the information cutoff in SEP21, and that at that time, DHL had announced its partnership with Eviation, an electric aircraft manufacturer, to introduce a new all-electric cargo aircraft called Alice, and outlined planned technical details. It reminded me that updates may have occurred since its last knowledge update and urged “For the most up-to-date and detailed information about DHL's Alice aircraft, I recommend consulting official announcements, DHL's website, or trusted aviation sources.”

Or read up on Alice and other electric endeavors in CargoForwarder Global, for example:

"DHL Express orders 12 all-electric freighter aircraft"

"United electrifies civil aviation"
"Going it alone and drones…"

Eviation’s Alice first flew on 27SEP22, and the DHL’s Alice is already proudly bearing her yellow-red livery, too.

ChatCPT, as “interviewed” by Brigitte Gledhill


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