What if the Automaker Tesla Were to Build Airplanes? Innovations in Aviation
Setting the Standard Throughout the Industry
Tesla’s uniqueness is deeply rooted within its holistic approach to innovation, integrating cutting-edge technology with a sound environmental directive. Unlike most of today’s traditional automakers, Tesla skillfully blends hardware, software, and energy storage systems to create the best in seamless electric vehicle (EV) products, battery technology, and solar power systems. Tesla-branded electric drivetrains are lauded as some of the most efficient ever designed. At the same time, their battery technology, which is constantly improving in both capacity and price point, has genuinely set the standard throughout the industry.
Intelligent Manufacturing
The automaker’s advanced autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems embrace AI, machine learning as well as data analytics, ensuring continuous self-learning and improvement, while leveraging downloadable software updates. Tesla’s commitment to vertical integration, intelligent manufacturing, and cutting-edge energy solutions means accelerated innovation cycles and across-the-board cost savings. Changing the way consumers view buying and operating a personal vehicle is, perhaps, what the company is best known for today.
Brilliant Engineering Techniques
Elon Musk, Tesla’s high-profile CEO, has set the tone for a bold, risk-taking culture that constantly bucks industry norms. Brilliant engineering techniques combined with state-of-the-art software, data, and user-friendly experiences makes Tesla far more than just a car manufacturer. Indeed, it is, at its core, a technology company that routinely redefines the future of stored energy manipulation and transportation. Anyone who has ever owned or driven a Tesla vehicle knows just how satisfying the experience can be.
More Outside the Box Thinking
But what if Tesla were to build commercial airplanes? Such an event would clearly spark major disruptions within the aviation industry, in much the same way as the company’s undeniable impact on battery-powered vehicles. The automaker’s battle-tested innovations in electric cars, energy storage systems, and autonomous technology would lay the groundwork for creating a new and unique generation of electric passenger and cargo aircraft. This hypothetical scenario, while not currently proposed by the company, can be viewed from both a technical and practical perspective. Considering Tesla’s technical strengths and prowess, market challenges, and the ways in which the aviation industry could potentially evolve, here are some key points to ponder in this regard:
- Battery Technology and the Energy Density Conversation
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing an emerging electric aircraft industry is that of the energy density of batteries. Airplanes require massive kilowatts of energy to stay airborne during a typical flight. Fortunately, Tesla has made significant strides in battery engineering and manufacturing with the advanced-science batteries used in its electric vehicles. The Model S Long Range, for example, brings more than 100 kWh of energy capacity to the table. However, even at the most efficient thrust-to-weight ratio, current battery systems are far from being able to deliver the energy density necessary for long-haul flights.
No More Liquid Lithium
The weight of batteries is a major factor in the average electric car since more weight requires more energy to propel the vehicle. That said, when working with airplanes, weight is even more of a limiting factor. Tesla would need to overcome these limitations. The company would have to design and manufacture new ultra-lightweight energy storage systems, such as solid-state batteries or other emerging disruptive technologies. Note that solid-state batteries show much promise, as energy can be stored via unique metallurgy-based batteries, where no liquid lithium is needed or used. Essentially, solid blocks of specialized advanced metal become the batteries.
eVTOL Aircraft
However, for shorter regional flights, Tesla might decide to leverage existing battery systems to produce more practical electric aircraft over the short term. Industry leaders, including Joby Aviation and Lilium, are already testing the concept of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. eVTOL flights would be more in line with Tesla’s existing energy storage technology. These aircraft fly shorter distances at lower altitudes and slower speeds while carrying fewer passengers. By utilizing Tesla’s advanced battery management systems (BMS), it could optimize a flight’s energy usage, in essence delivering longer operational flight times through more efficient energy consumption.
- Advanced Electric Propulsion Technology and Systems
Tesla has earned industry notoriety for the electric drivetrains in its cars. This same technology could be merged into aircraft. Interestingly, electric motors are, by design, far more efficient than traditional combustion engines. This is because they have fewer moving parts, greater reliability, more torque, and breakneck responsiveness. Electric aircraft, namely small to medium-sized airplanes, would benefit considerably from the deployment of Tesla’s inverters and power delivery electronics made for controlling these motors.
Deployed For Aviation Applications
Tesla’s existing power management electronics, which control the voltage and current in EVs, could easily be deployed for aviation applications, leading to exceedingly efficient and lightweight propulsion systems. That said, the challenge would be scaling up these technologies to satisfy the specific needs of powered flight. Airplanes demand reliability and redundancy, where safety is always paramount. The automaker’s expertise in software-driven optimization would result in more precise control of propulsion systems, boosting overall flight efficiency and safety.
- Autonomy and Software Factors
Tesla has clearly been at the leading edge of autonomous driving technology with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. While there are still many regulatory and technical issues to overcome in the automotive sector, these advancements are poised to bode well for aviation. Autonomous EV flights can be expected to offer significant improvements in flight efficiency, greatly reducing human error while substantially lowering operating costs.
Autonomous Electric Aircraft
Tesla’s deep understanding of machine learning, real-time data processing, and sensor fusion would be perfect for developing the systems demanded by fully autonomous electric aircraft. In truth, aircraft capable of semi-autonomous and eventually fully autonomous flights for commuter routes, cargo flights, and air taxis could be possible. This would call for leaps in avionics, flight safety systems, and air navigation equipment. Fortunately, Tesla’s existing in-house technology stack would lay a solid foundation for such future developments.
- Environmental Impact and Eventual Consumer Adoption
From an environmental impact perspective, Tesla’s hypothetical electric aircraft would significantly shrink the carbon footprint of commercial aviation. Since aviation has one of the most carbon-heavy footprints, the transition to electric flight would scale back these unwanted emissions. That said, the practical widespread deployment of electric passenger planes depends on a handful of key factors, including battery range, infrastructure modifications such as charging station installation, and, of course, mass public acceptance.
Environmentally Conscious Organization
Tesla’s globally recognized brand, as an environmentally conscious organization, would likely overcome many of these hurdles. In fact, the company could easily leverage its energy ecosystem to deliver integrated solutions, such as photovoltaic-enhanced charging stations or mega-kilowatt chargers for high-demand electric aircraft, reminiscent of its far-reaching and ubiquitous EV Supercharger network.
- Challenges and, Oh Yes, the Competition
While Tesla’s entry into the aircraft manufacturing market would likely disrupt legacy manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, the company would also encounter significant headwinds from other emerging electric aircraft startups and established aerospace giants, as well. Companies like Vertical Aerospace and Pipistrel are already developing electric powered aircraft, and at the same time established manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus are investing heavily into electric turbo jet and propeller propulsion technologies.
Commercial Aviation Regulatory Maze
Finally, the regulatory maze inherent to commercial aviation is exceedingly more complex than for passenger vehicles. As such, Tesla would need to carefully navigate stringent aviation safety standards, air traffic rules, and certification constraints and processes. This has the potential to be a significant barrier to entry, especially considering the longer timelines typical of developing and certifying a new aircraft type or model.
A New Chapter in Commercial Aviation
If this idea became a reality and Tesla was to build airplanes, the company could leverage its existing technology strengths in electric propulsion, energy storage systems, and autonomous operating applications to create an entirely new chapter in commercial aviation. Short to medium-range electric passenger aircraft could become a reality sooner than later with Tesla in the game, provided they fully address the technical and regulatory challenges discussed here.
The Knowledge and Resources
While it would take time and sizable funding to scale up and refine the automaker’s technology for building commercial airliners, Tesla’s entry into the market would almost certainly result in cleaner, more energy efficient, and fully autonomous flying machines, thereby accelerating the paradigm shift to sustainable clean transportation across the globe. While Tesla has not made a commitment to moving into the aviation space, they clearly have the skill sets, knowledge, and resources needed to change the airplane-building game for the better.
