Electric aviation (eAviation) is not just about switching propulsion technologies; it represents a fundamental transformation in how people and goods move. Beyond reducing emissions, it promises cleaner skies, quieter cities, and entirely new mobility models. With the right policy and investment, eAviation can redefine what short- and medium-distance travel looks like in Europe and beyond.
Beyond carbon: cleaner, quieter and smarter
One of the strongest arguments of eAviation is its significantly reduced externalities per passenger-kilometer. Compared to fossil-fuel aviation, electric aircraft generate drastically lower CO₂ emissions, eliminate local pollutants, and generate negligible particulate matter.¹ They are also far quieter, making them compatible with urban and regional communities where conventional aviation often faces resistance.²
Contrary to common assumptions, the cost barrier is not insurmountable. Unlike high-speed rail or new road networks, eAviation can leverage existing infrastructure. Airports and airspace are already in place; transforming them into “plug-and-play” hubs for electric aircraft requires only modest upgrades as technology matures.
Unlocking new mobility models
Electric aviation opens the door to entirely new ways of connecting people and goods:
- Urban Air Mobility (UAM): in congested cities, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft offer fast, quiet, and reliable “roof-to-roof” travel. This service is tailored to business travelers and high-value commuters, drastically cutting travel times in dense urban environments.
- Regional Air Mobility (eRAM): small electric aircraft operating frequent flights between 150 and 500 kilometers can connect cities and regions currently underserved. With flight times under 90 minutes, daily travel between regional airports becomes feasible, boosting economic vitality and social ties in rural areas.
- Sustainable intercity travel: electric aviation can replace small fossil-fuel aircraft on busy short-haul routes, covering distances of 500 to 1000 kilometers. This offers a clean, silent alternative for frequent intercity flights without sacrificing speed or convenience.
- Cargo opportunities: eAviation extends benefits beyond passenger travel. Cargo transport can gain speed and flexibility, especially in hard-to-access regions like islands, offshore facilities, or mountainous terrain. Sectors such as medical logistics, port operations, and industrial maintenance also stand to benefit significantly from eVTOL technologies.
Policy as the accelerator
The speed of adoption will depend on policy. Governments hold the levers through subsidies, regulation, and long-term infrastructure planning. Europe has set ambitious goals: by 2050, 90% of travellers should be able to complete door-to-door journeys within four hours.3 Norway exemplifies this shift, planning to maintain its current rail infrastructure while expanding investments in eAviation according to its National Transport Plan 2025-2036.4
To fully unlock the potential of electric aviation, policies must actively foster innovation. Regional airports should be supported to transform into electric hubs, preparing for technologies expected in the next 5–10 years. As aviation demand rebounds post-COVID, the challenge is not to restrict growth but to redirect it towards cleaner technologies that also generate new economic opportunities.
Redefining aviation’s role
Electric aviation offers far more than just decarbonization. It is a catalyst for systemic change in mobility—lowering externalities, reducing infrastructure costs, and unlocking new urban, regional, and cargo transport markets. With the right support, eAviation will not simply replace today’s aviation, but fundamentally expand what is possible in how, where, and why we travel.
The question is not whether electric aviation will take off, but how quickly we can enable it. For governments, operators, and innovators alike, the time to prepare is now.
Sources:
- CE Delft (2025) Climate Change Impact Analysis of Electric Aviation. Retrieved from: CE Delft
- von den Hoff, B., Merino-Martinez, R. & Yupa-Villanueva, R. & Snellen, M. (2024). Noice Emissions and Noice Annoyance of a Single-Propeller Electric Aircraft During Flyover. Research Gate.
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Retrieved from: European Commission
- Norwegian Ministry of Transport (2023–2024) National Transport Plan 2025–2036. Retrieved from: Norwegian Ministry of Transport
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