The future of electric aircraft is closing in, with several companies racing to develop the first electric aircraft for commercial use. Researchers believe that electric aircraft have many benefits compared to conventional aircraft: the decrease of emissions, cheaper costs in the chain of development from manufacturing to ticket prices and a decrease in both fuel costs and overall operating costs. Amidst the race for the development of electric aircraft for commercial purposes between new and existing manufacturers, there is missing information which is needed to understand the profitability of electric aircraft. The question remains of how much the cost will change between conventional aircraft and electric aircraft. The aim of this study is to compare the operating cost of an electric aircraft (with 19 seats) to similar conventional aircraft on regional routes. The comparison would inform the decision of airlines interested in investing in electric aviation. To help achieve the aim of the study, a comparison analysis, a cost calculation, and analysis, as well as a SWOT analysis were performed using data gathered through literature search, a case study, and interviews. The study was performed on two conventional aircraft, the Beechcraft 1900D and the Jetstream JS31, both turboprop aircraft powered by jet fuel, and an electric aircraft, Heart Aerospaces ES-19. Common for all aircraft is the capacity of 19 seats and their utilization for short-range flights. The total cost of electric aircraft is between 15 to 22% cheaper than the operating cost for conventional aircraft. The most expensive category for electric aircraft is the ownership cost, which can be reduced through mass production of electric aircraft, as the ownership cost of aircraft is generally higher when fewer aircraft are made. The electric aircraft is currently at a disadvantage due to the weight of the batteries and overall aircraft weight, which increases the weight-related airport charges. / <p>Examensarbetet är utfört vid Institutionen för teknik och naturvetenskap (ITN) vid Tekniska fakulteten, Linköpings universitet</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:liu-182531 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | Shahwan, Kawthar |
| Publisher | Linköpings universitet, Kommunikations- och transportsystem, Linköpings universitet, Tekniska fakulteten |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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